Anorexia: Top 8 Most Common Misconceptions

Anorexia is a highly misunderstood condition in the modern day, which is why we have come to present you with the truth. To find out everything that you need to know about this confusing eating disorder, all you have to do is read along with us!

Number Eight: Anorexia Is Just a Way to Get Attention

Some people will embrace this eating disorder as a ploy to get attention, but it is often rooted in a much deeper issue. When people develop anorexia, it is often a means of coping with a painful life issue. Additionally, the eating disorder can also be experienced in states of depression.

Number Seven: It Is a Choice

This is true only to an extent. Yes, everyone can choose not to engage in harmful lifestyle choices like becoming anorexic; although, this condition is often the result of a psychiatric disposition. It may seem like a choice, but there is always a deeper underlying meaning.

Number Six: It Happens to a Certain Type

It is often considered that anorexic people are only “rich, young, white girls”. Although, this disorder doesn’t discriminate. Anorexia has been known to affect people of all ages, cultures, genders, and economic backgrounds.

Number Five: It’s All About Vanity

People often refer to anorexic people as vain because they are constantly expressing that they feel “fat.” This isn’t just a plea for compliments; this expression is the result of a real psychiatric issue. When these affected individuals view their figure, they see a distorted version of what their body really looks like. Often, people will become essentially skin and bones and still view themselves as “fat”.

Number Four: Anorexic People Do Not Binge Eat

It may not surprise you, but eating disorders often go hand in hand. Although most people believe that anorexics just don’t eat, that isn’t always true. When they do eat, however, they are likely to partake in bulimia or abuse laxatives.

Number Three: Anorexic People Don’t Eat

Despite the nature of this eating disorder, many people who are diagnosed with it may eat as many as three meals per day. Anorexia is an all-inclusive term for dietary restriction. Some affected persons have been known to eat as per normal for a week, then fast for the following week, and repeat the process.

Number Two: It Can’t Kill You if You Exercise

Many people are under the impression that if an anorexic person exercises regularly and keeps their body healthy. This simply isn’t true. In reality, it is a deadly condition that will prove fatal if taken too far. Malnutrition and starvation will have irrevocable effects on the body.

Number One: It’s Just a Phase

It may be a phase to some, but that doesn’t make it any less hazardous. Anorexia can only be cured if rooted to the problem, and treated. Without help, it becomes far more deadly if they don’t “grow out of it” in time. We hope you enjoyed our list on the top eight most common misconceptions about anorexia!