Eating Disorders
By: Kira Logan
***TW: This blog contains a discussion of eating disorders. Please read with caution.***
“I have an eating disorder” might be one of the hardest phrases to come out of mine and many other people’s mouths. Having an eating disorder is a constant uphill battle with your mind and heart, with chronic overthinking and a sensation of accomplishment for every meal that is skipped. It is important to take note that anyone can have an eating disorder, as women are not the only ones who experience this life-altering disease. Eating disorders have plenty of misconceptions in society, most that include gender and racial stereotypes, and are severely underrepresented in our media. However, eating disorders affect 9%, 28 million people, of the US population.
In honor of Women’s History Month, I decided to write an informational piece about eating disorders and why they are so important to discuss in our modern-day. To begin, many people do not realize the complexity of the mind of someone with an eating disorder; there are constant incoherent thoughts that are unexplainable and cruel, and as much as our loved ones mean well, telling us to ‘just eat’ digs us into an even deeper hole. Eating disorders are usually about control, as people develop one when aspects of their life or mind might become too overwhelming and hard to handle. I experienced this too, as my eating disorder began when I started to feel every last sense of stability in my life slip through my hands. There is usually a surface cause to an eating disorder as well, which could be social media or snarky comments, but more often than not the eating disorder has been brewing in you for years, waiting for the final straw to kick in and set your self-image ablaze. I understand no one can fully understand the mind of someone with an eating disorder unless you have personally had one, as each person’s experience is completely unique and subjective. However, I also understand that eating disorders share one thing alike: wanting to tear down every last piece of self-love you ever built. Fighting with your eating disorder resembles listening to an angel and devil on your shoulder; one wants you to nourish your soul and remain content, and the other is rooting for you to break your body down until you have no strength to get out of bed. The best possible word to describe the mind of someone with an eating disorder is: draining.
Now that there is a better understanding of the mind of someone with an eating disorder, I want to draw attention to how BIPOC who have eating disorders are disproportionately affected and mistreated. BIPOC with ED’s are half as likely to get diagnosed by a doctor or receive treatment, and black teenagers are 50% more likely than white teenagers to exhibit bulimic behaviors. It is society’s job to stop cutting BIPOC, especially BIPOC women, short. I decided to bring this issue to light because I understand the struggle of an eating disorder, as I am still trying to fight through one, and it is even more important to realize and act on how disproportionately affected BIPOC are with eating disorders. Experiencing an eating disorder alone is an extremely difficult task, and adding on the weight of certified medical staffers not believing your condition adds to the excessive self-doubt that shows up when you have an eating disorder.
Not only is race a factor when talking about eating disorders, but gender also plays a role as well. Many people in society diminish and invalidate men who go through eating disorders, which contributes to negative gender stereotypes and toxic masculinity, as men sometimes come to feel ashamed of their disorder. Recognizing that anyone can have an eating disorder and that no one ‘looks’ like an eating disorder is taking the first step to helping the discussion of eating disorders progress. Bringing this issue to light is simply not enough, however, as we need to act and resource people who are struggling and feel like no one will believe them -- after all, an eating disorder tricks you into not believing its legitimacy also.
For loved ones who want to resource their suffering friend or family member but don’t know where to start, you came to the right place! Never make someone feel guilty for eating or not eating in recovery, as a little bit of pressure can have an unintentional spiraling effect. Also, warm them up to loving food again -- encourage them to cook or go grocery shopping and be around food more, so they can repair the broken relationship. Whatever you do, do not comment on their physical appearance or the amount of food they’ve eaten; this has happened to me before and was extremely triggering. Always remember to validate them, as sometimes people question the validity of their disorder, and be cautious of potential triggers. Everyone handles their disorder differently, so follow a few basic guidelines and you should be set -- thank you for trying to learn more.
I wanted to write this piece for Women’s History Month, not because eating disorders are a women’s issue, but because I believe women have the power to change the conversation in society and lead with power. Intersectional feminism paves many pathways, pathways for everyone.
My eating disorder has taken a year of my life. A year that could’ve been used for dancing, spending time with friends, learning, trying new foods, and so much more joy. Instead, I listened to the devil on my shoulder and became a slave to my depleting thoughts. However, recovery is possible for everyone -- never give up on yourself and reach out to people if you need assistance. An eating disorder is not a look, and you are valid.
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