mental health Eating Disorders

mental health Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders

Introduction

Several myths surround mental health and especially eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Such beliefs harm victims more than the condition itself. The misconceptions trigger stigmatization, as discussed below.

People believe an eating disorder is self-imposed. Scientifically, a combination of environmental and biological factors causes an eating disorder. Body shaming and pressures of body shape in society are the results of this condition. Society judgment is unfair to the victims.

Eating disorder is a medical illness, which affects the mental health of a person. Myths hold that the condition is a choice. On the contrary, scientists prove that biological factors greatly influence the situation. The reaction of the society, however, induces conditions such as anxiety, fear, depression, and chronic disorders. Patients, therefore, resort to self-isolation to avoid feeling odd or criticism.

Since the current society has created extreme significance on food and body weight, most individuals unknowingly become victims. This pressure causes fear and guilt in individuals having the condition. Victims lose self-esteem and confidence in themselves. Myths that eating disorders are incurable also makes patients feel helpless and pity themselves.

Media-propagated perception of beauty as slim and not plump significantly contributes to eating disorders. Young people are more likely to yield concerns about body weight. In the effort to attain such body shape, victims are less likely to identify or admit to this condition.  The belief that eating disorder conditions are controllable makes others lack empathy for the victims. Victims may feel less human due to a lack of concern showed to them.

Generally, myths regarding eating disorders make individuals coping with the condition suffer more from stigmatization than from the illness itself.