The Nine Truths about Eating Disorders

Truth #1: You can't tell by looking at someone whether they have an eating disorder. 

Truth #2: Families are not to blame. 

Truth #3: Families can be the patient's best allies in treatment. 

Truth #4: Eating disorders are not choices, but serious biologically-influenced mental illnesses. 

Truth #5: Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, weight and body size. 

Truth #6: Eating disorders carry an increased risk for both suicide and physical/medical complications. 

Truth #7: Genes play a role in eating disorders, but environment also influences their development. 

Truth #8: Genes are not destiny when it comes to eating disorders. 

Truth #9: Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. 


Produced in collaboration with Dr. Cynthia Bulik, PhD, FAED and the Academy for Eating Disorders, along with other major eating disorder organizations (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders, National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, National Eating Disorders Association, The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation, Residential Eating Disorders Consortium, Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action, Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association, Binge Eating Disorder Association, Eating Disorder Parent Support Group, International Eating Disorder Action, Project HEAL, and Trans Folx Fighting Eating Disorders). - See more at: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/blog/9-truths-about-eating-disorders#sthash.62AfaADk.dpuf