Eating Disorder Myths

Fact: Eating disorders are mental health disorders and are never a personal choice.

Eating disorders are complex illnesses – there is no single cause. Instead, they are thought to be caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. These factors can interact differently depending on someone’s experiences, identity, and individual circumstances.

They are no-one's fault– eating disorders are extremely distressing for both the individual and their loved ones, and often are accompanied by feelings of shame. They require specialist treatment, but people can and do get better.

Fact: Although eating disorders may have a genetic component, there is no one single cause for an eating disorder.

There is evidence that someone’s genes contribute to the risk of developing an eating disorder, but this is only one part of a complex mix of risk factors. For example, there are psychological, environmental and sociocultural factors too.

This also means that recovery from an eating disorder is possible, as it isn’t just “in their genes”.

Fact: Eating disorders are serious diagnosable illnesses; they are not a lifestyle choice, a phase, or someone being attention seeking.

Although there is often an association between body dissatisfaction and eating disorders, eating disorders are not someone being vain or just wanting to look a certain way.

Often people with eating disorders go to great lengths to hide the eating disorder and to keep it secret.

Fact: Eating disorders are not picky eating, and are rarely to do with food – they are serious mental health conditions.

By labelling eating disorders as just “picky eating”, people who need support are less likely to reach out for support due to stigma or fear of being misunderstood.

Instead, eating disorders need to be understood for what they are – a mental health condition that can have physical consequences.

Fact: Eating disorders are much more series than “a diet that has gone wrong”.

Although for some people, one trigger for an eating disorder may be that they have been following a particular diet, eating disorders are not “a diet that has gone wrong”. They are serious mental health disorders and something you can’t just “snap out” of.

Someone may develop an eating disorder for multiple reasons, not just one. So, if a person was following a diet and then subsequently developed an eating disorder, they may have already had a genetic predisposition, or have been affected psychologically, environmentally or socio-culturally.

Fact: All eating disorders are serious mental health conditions.

A lot of people experiencing an eating disorder may feel that their situation is not that serious – or that people have it worse off than others. But, all eating disorders are equally deserving of support and should be taken seriously; the sooner they are treated, the quicker recovery can be possible.

Fact: Eating disorders are often hidden and not always visible.

Many people with eating disorders may appear fine from the outside and show few visible signs of their difficulties. They may continue working, studying, and socialising while struggling internally. Weight changes or obvious symptoms aren’t always present, which can make it harder for both the person affected and those around them to recognise that they need – and deserve - support.

Fact: You don’t need a diagnosis to be deserving of support.

Research shows that the sooner someone gets help, the better their chance of full recovery, which is why early intervention is so important. If you’re concerned about your relationship with food, eating, or body image, that alone is enough reason to seek help – including if your experiences don’t fit common stereotypes, or if you face barriers to accessing support or diagnosis.

You deserve support at any stage.

Fact: Most people with an eating disorder stay at a medically “healthy” weight.

Often when people think of someone with an eating disorder, they think of someone who is significantly underweight. This may happen for people with anorexia nervosa, but often, people with an eating disorder stay within a “healthy” weight range.

This myth also ignores experiences of eating disorders where weight is not affected, or where weight gain is a symptom. All eating disorders are serious mental illnesses, regardless of weight.

Fact: Men can develop an eating disorder just like anyone else!

Eating disorders don’t discriminate. Anyone can have one, no matter what their age, gender, ethnicity, background, or social class.

Evidence shows that around 1 in 4 people who develop an eating disorder are men, however many people still don’t know that men can get them. This may be because eating disorders are wrongly associated with women, and harmful societal expectations around masculinity means they may feel less able to get the help that they need – or even recognise that they have a problem.

By spreading awareness that men can get eating disorders, we hope more people reach out for the support that they need.

Fact: Anyone can develop an eating disorder at any time, regardless of age and appearance.

Eating disorders often begin puberty due to hormonal and environmental factors, which is why some people assume they only affect young people. But they can arise at any time to anyone, especially during times of stress, such as menopause, grief, big life transitions like moving house.

People of all sizes, shapes, and weights can develop an eating disorder, too. They can show up in many ways, and they’re not always visible. Those in larger bodies can be overlooked because of the myth that only thin people are affected, which means some people do not get the help that they need – and deserve. With the right support and treatment, recovery is possible for anyone affected by an eating disorder.

Fact: Weight restoration is only one aspect of treatment and doesn’t mean someone is fully recovered.

Full recovery involves changes in the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that come with an eating disorder. While this may be supported with weight restoration, recovery also requires support for mental and emotional wellbeing. Without these changes, someone may be more likely to relapse.

Fact: Recovery is possible from an eating disorder!

Recovery is different for everyone: some people may still have eating disorder thoughts but will be able to manage them and combat their previous eating disorder behaviours. Others may never have an eating disorder urge again, once they recover.

Recovery is a personal journey, and there is no ‘right’ way to recover. It's also not linear, and relapses and setbacks are common. So, even if recovery doesn’t feel possible right now, it is in the future.