Questions About EDs

Questions About EDs

 This section includes questions and myths that follow eating disorders and answers to follow them. Click on the question or statement below to get an answer.
***Have a question about eating disorders? Email us and we'll try to answer or call Psychological Counseling Services at x2247.

 

Don't only white, middle- to upper-class females get eating disorders?
What do I do if a friend has an eating disorder?
I've seen my friend eat so she can't be anorexic, right?
Is there a cure for an eating disorder?
People who have anorexia just need to be forced to eat--it's very simple.
Don't people who are bulimic only vomit after they eat?

 

 

Don't only white middle- to upper-class females get eating disorders? No, although this group does represent the majority. The fact is that about 90-95% of those suffering from an eating disorder are female. Also, research is showing that there is an increasing number of minorities who are also developing eating disorders in the United States. top

What do I do if a friend has an eating disorder? You can check out the section on How To Help, which deals with what people can do if they suspect or know that someone is dealing with an eating disorder. You also might want to look at the section on Ways To Help Yourself that includes ideas on how to help manage an eating disorder if someone isn't ready for help just yet. top

I've seen my friend eat so she can't be anorexic, right? Wrong. Atlhough most people with anorexia fast for period of time, they eat too. They may chose very low calories foods, such as diet jello, cucumbers/pickles/, etc., but they generally do eat. Some people with anorexia go on binges as well, so your friend who you haven't seen eat in a while who is now stuffing herself with pizza may still be anorexic (of course there are many other factors and signs of an eating disorder, so don't go accusing all your friends of having an eating disorder!). top

Is there a cure for an eating disorder? It would be nice to just pop a pill and have the eating disorder go away, but of course it's much more complicated than that. As there is no one specific cure for an eating disorder, there are many different therapies that can be used to treat any eating disorder, which include individual, family, and group. These therapies can be quite successful. There has also been research done on the effects of fluoxetine (Prozac) in bulimia patients which suggest that it may be useful in lowering the number of binges. top

People who have anorexia just need to be forced to eat--it's very simple. Many people tend to think that this is true, although what they don't realize is that anorexia (and other eating disorders for that matter) isn't about food. People with anorexia who are at extremely low weights often get force-fed through a tube while hospitalized, but gaining weight and eating does not solve their problem. Even those who seem to have "recovered" from anorexia and are eating and at a more normal weight may still be struggling with the same thoughts and ideas as before, just their behaviors have changed. There are many underlying issues to an eating disorder, so even girls whose eating issues seem to have gone away may still be suffering inside. top

Don't people who are bulimic only vomit after they eat? While vomiting is one way of purging food, people who are bulimic also may purge by taking laxatives and diretics. Other compensatory behaviors include fasting and excessive exercise. Someone who is bulimic might engage in one or more of these compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting their food, taking laxatives, and then exercising to make up for the binge. Also, keep in mind that someone with bulimia doesn't necessarily do these things after EVERY meal, although she may. Contrary to what people tend to think, a bulimic girl will not run from the table to the bathroom, she probably won't be that obvious about going to vomit her food. top