4 EVER THIN

Answers to the common misconceptions, questions, legends, rumors, stories and lies that surround eating disorders.


Myth - Until the 1980's, anorexia didn’t exist

Fact - Anorexia has been prevalent all through history, although never before has it affected so many people at once. Early church records speak of saints who starved themselves to death and were glorified as martyrs for their actions. Accounts throughout the sixteen, seventeen and eighteen hundreds abound of young girls who refused to eat. Many were considered selfless and virtuous for their actions, but others were thought to be demon possessed or mad because they would not eat even when their health suffered for it. In the eighteen hundreds the first cases of anorexia nervosa were recorded, and it was a puzzle to the doctors of the time.


Myth - Anorexics never get hungry

Fact - Are you kidding? We get hungry all the time, and we have the same hunger pangs, cravings and appetites that everyone else has. The only difference is that we are choosing not to eat. The body in starvation sends signals to the brain in order to try and survive, and it is only through a combination of will, fear and self-determination that we are able to maintain our habits.


Myth - Anorexics are vain

Fact - In some cases this is true, but anorexia nervosa is not the product of vanity or superficiality. While many girls start dieting in hopes of improving their appearance, anorexia develops as a defence mechanism, a coping skill, an obsession and a way to avert attention from real pain to food. Dieting is a symptom of vanity, eating disorders are a sign of emotional illness.


Myth - Anorexics hate fat people

Fact - As individuals, some anorexics make those kinds of judgements, but many do not. Anorexia does not stem from a hatred of overweight individuals. Rather, internal issues are acted out in the arena of food and weight obsession. Anorexia is not intended to belittle those people who are overweight nor to convey dislike of someone based on their weight. Most anorexics are sufficiently mature and informed to understand that bias against others because of their weight is irrational and cruel. Those who don’t know it will grow up someday, we hope.


Myth - Anorexics are only doing this for attention

Fact - While some anorexics do receive more attention because of their low weights or ill health, the majority can only expect to receive negative attention - in the form of lectures, punishments, disappointment, abandonment, rejection and forced hospitalization. Many anorexics and recovered anorexics tell stories of friends giving up on them, parents being disgusted with them and doctors failing to treat them properly. Anorexia nervosa is much more complicated then simply using a tool to get attention.


Myth - Anorexics know they are too thin normal_undertheskin4

Fact - On some level, some anorexics do understand that they are underweight. However, they often are unable to see this and to internalize it. While they can understand what the scale says and compare their weights to that of others in the normal range, they still see fat when they look in the mirror. Because anorexics are not seeing their true selves but distorted images of their body compiled with their fears and failures, anorexics see obesity when they look at their reflection. It is important to keep in mind that eating disorders are not logical, and thus the symptoms, like fear of fat, aren’t always logical.


Myth - Anorexics are suicidal

Fact - Anorexia does not stem from a desire to kill oneself. Even at the lowest weights, anorexics are not doing it to kill themselves but to deal with unresolved personal issues and to maintain some semblance of control. It is true, however, that some anorexics become suicidal, often after years of struggling with the chronic disease. Anorexics have a much higher rate of suicide then the average. The reason for this is pretty clear - anorexia leaves you hating yourself in many cases. Because the goal of thinness is not real, it can never be satisfactorily achieved. Also, the issues which anorexia stems from often can cause depression and other problems. The rate of self-injury, depression and mental illness like borderline personality is much higher among anorexics then the general population.


Myth - Anorexics never get better

Fact - Anorexics can recover if they have access to good, consistent therapy and medical treatment. Establishing a connection with a competent therapist is the most important step, and once it occurs anorexic individuals can began to express their feelings and deal with past issues. Unfortunately, many are not able to receive that kind of treatment, or they leave treatment before the issues are resolved. Anorexia is often chronic, lasting years, even decades, and many go back and forth between hospitals and “recovery”. 15% die.


Myth - Anorexics don’t want to get better

Fact - Some don’t, but most reach a point in their life where they are sick of the inner turmoil, the self-hatred, the paralyzing fear and the stress. It is pretty easy to understand the reluctance of many anorexics to enter treatment - going into psychotherapy means admitting something is wrong. Recovery often means exploring painful issues and difficult memories, learning to face fears, accept inability and imperfection, and most scary, surrender control to a therapist, doctor or treatment team. In addition, anorexic eating habits often become a way of identifying oneself, and some anorexics question how they will define their identity without an eating disorder. Recovery also requires tremendous strength, courage and patience, and it’s never easy - is there any doubt why some would rather not try?


Myth - If anorexics would just eat something, they would be cured

Fact - Eating disorders are not just about one’s relationship with food. They go much deeper then that. Often, disordered eating results as an individual tries to assert control in a situation where they have none, or as a method of dealing with inner pain or relational problems. Through starvation, anorexics find a way to control their body and have influence over the people in their lives. They also can focus on food, fear of fat and obsession with thinness instead of what is really bothering them. Thus, eating alone will not solve the problem. In fact, many anorexics who are hospitalized or pushed into treatment before they are ready do eat in order to please the doctors and be released, but as soon as they come home the pattern starts up again. Real cures involve long term counseling and psychotherapy, as well as solving the problems that caused the person to become ill in the first place.

Myth - Everyone with an eating disorder is skinny

Fact - People with eating disorders come in all sizes. In order to be diagnosed as an anorexic by conventional standards, an individual must be 15% under the expected weight for their height. However, there are many cases of people with anorectic type eating patterns who demonstrate the same obsessions and who share virtually all symptoms but who are not severely emaciated. This could be because they were overweight or obese when their disorder developed and despite their tremendous weight loss they haven’t dipped into the underweight zone yet. It is also possible that someone has not had anorexia for a long time, and hence haven’t lost all the weight yet. Usually, when the criteria matches but the weight does not, the individual is diagnosed with ednos, or eating disorder not otherwise specified.

Of course, anorexia is not the only eating disorder. Bulimics are usually within or close to the normal weight ranges. Individuals with compulsive overeating disorders are often normal weight, overweight or obese. People with these disorders deserve just as much compassion and care as emaciated anorexics do.


Myth - Eating disorders are about hurting other people

Fact - That is not the intention or desire of most people who suffer from eating disorders. There are some people who utilize short term refusal to eat as a way to get what they want or to intimidate others, but that is not the norm among people with eating disorders. Many individuals with disordered eating habits are conscientious people who care a great deal for the feelings of others. Often, guilt is a byproduct of eating disorders, as eating disordered people feel horrible for making their loved ones worry.


Myth - Eating disorders only affect middle class, white females

Fact - Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their nationality, race, age, gender, economic class or numerous other background factors. Statistically, about 8% of all cases of anorexia occur in males, and there are anorexics of many races. Compulsive overeating disorder has an even higher number of male victims and crosses racial lines.


Myth - Eating disorders are the product of our diet obsessed culture

Fact - To some degree, this is true. Many of the individuals who start out dieting and then develop an eating disorder are influenced strongly by the beauty standards of the culture. It’s hard not to be. However, everyone is affected by the standards of the culture, and not everyone develops an eating disorder, so clearly there are other factors involved.


Myth - “Fat acceptance” movements and tolerance of the overweight will help reduce the number of people eating disorders

Fact - This presumption is false for two reasons. To begin with, eating disorders do not develop just because someone is teased for being fat. Eating disorders are the symptoms of much deeper problems, and are not just about someone’s feelings on food or weight. Fat phobias and fear of weight gain are the product of eating disorders, not the cause, and are often irrational and unreal. While less pressure to be thin might curb dieting, it will not solve eating disorders, which require probing into deeper issues.

Secondly, the idea of accepting obesity is just plain unhealthy. Being overweight is a health risk and brings with it the threat of diabetes, impaired movement, heart problems and early death. It is not a wise idea to teach people that being overweight is okay - although it’s acceptable culturally or politically, it’s not a good move health-wise. Of course it is a wise move to educate the public in diversity and to refuse to tolerate discrimination against people who are overweight, but on a health level it is nor wise. Telling people that it is okay to be overweight robs them of the opportunity to solve the problem behind the weight gain, be it depression, underactive thyroid, emotional problems or compulsive overeating disorder. While I certainly advocate showing respect, love and kindness to people regardless of their weight, it’s irresponsible to pretend that being overweight is good for you.


Myth - Eating disorders like COE and EdNos aren’t as important as the ones like anorexia, which are more well known

Fact - All eating disorders are serious, and all sufferers deserve attention and treatment, even if they don’t have the ‘glamorous’ disorders like anorexia nervosa. Compulsive over eating is damaging to the body, because it can result in congestive heart failure, heart attacks, some types of cancers, type two diabetes and other illnesses caused by excess weight. It is also damaging to the spirit, because this is not a culture which treats overweight people, especially women, with respect. Failure to deal with coe can mean a lifetime of teasing and contempt, as well as depression, self-hatred and misery. No one deserves that. Ednos is also a serious problem, which can lead to muscle deterioration, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration and the host of problems that come with that, fainting spells, low blood pressure, weakened walls of the heart, osteoporosis and others.


Myth - On Monday I started a diet, and now it’s Tuesday and I haven’t eaten anything. I must be an anorexic

Fact - Going on a diet, skipping some meals or fasting does not make you an anorexic. Many dieters use short term fasting or extreme calorie restriction to lose weight. Anorexia is much more then dieting or wanting to be thin. It is an obsession used as a coping mechanism and an assertion of control. Also, anorexia differs from dieting in it’s severity and length. Anorexics sometimes go without eating for days or weeks at a time, but unlike normal dieters they do this when they are already at a normal weight or low weight. The purpose is to relieve tension, not just to get thinner.


Myth - I wish I was anorexic for a few weeks

Fact - No, you don’t. Anorexia is not just iron will power and weight loss, it is an extremely difficult disorder to live with. Sufferers of anorexia never feel good enough. They are constantly comparing themselves to their ideals and falling far short. They experience constant self hatred, perpetual fear and unyielding nervousness. Imagine constant hunger and constant denial, always arguing with yourself. Worst of all, it’s never short term and it doesn’t end when you reach your initial weight loss goal. It is a difficult, rigid life. If you want to live in torment for a while, wish for anorexia. Otherwise, try the SlimFast plan.

Myth - One diet pill helps me lose weight, so a handful ought to make me lose more

Fact - Doesn’t work that way, sorry. Diet pills are usually a combination of caffeine or another stimulant plus an appetite suppressant. Taking more just gives you more of the same thing, but no diet pill can combat all the effects of dieting, or starvation as the case may be. Your body will continue to feel tired because it doesn’t have fuel, and you will keep being hungry because your body needs to eat. There are some dangers in doubling up the pills as well. The megadose of caffeine will make your heart beat faster, and if your heart walls are already thin from an eating disorder you can have irregular heartbeat or palpitations, even cardiac failure in extreme cases. You’re body may heat up too high and sweat away water, dehydrating you. Using too much stimulants will also render them less effective next time, so you can develop a dependency.


Myth - I’ve got an eating disorder, so I have no chance of staying healthy

Fact - While you may not be as healthy as someone who eats normally, you can keep up your health even while being eating disordered. One important suggestion is to take a good multivitamin each day, since you aren’t getting the vitamins and minerals you need through food. Also, taking a calcium supplement is a wise idea. You may wish to speak to your doctor about going on iron (helps with anaemia), potassium (aids blood pressure) and/or other medicines, but don’t start these ones on your own since overdose can cause worse trouble. JP

Another way to maintain better health is to eat wisely when you do eat. Even at a very low calorie level you can make wise choices with your food. Make sure to have some protein at least every few days, especially lean red meat or vitamin packed ‘veggie’ burger type products. Protein added to your system will fuel your body so it doesn’t use up all your muscle tissue. Complex carbohydrates like cereal provide energy and help maintain good levels of blood sugar. Fruits and vegetables are good for you because they have a lot of nutrients and are very low calorie. If possible, have some dairy like non-fat yogurt or skim milk, because starving thins your bones and makes them brittle. If you are suffering a disorder like coe, you can also try to improve your diet. Try to make sure you are getting all your servings of fruit and vegetables, and turn to lower fat products instead of full fat ones, like in milk. If possible, balance your eating. You should be getting 20-30% of your calories from fat, 10-20% from protein and the rest from carbohydrates. If you are able, shift down the fat intake and consume more carbohydrates.

Myth - I don’t deserve better

Fact - No one deserves to suffer from an eating disorder. Regardless of your weight, you are a valuable, worthwhile person who deserves love and respect and admiration. You do not deserve to live with the many problems an eating disorder brings. When you are ready, seek help.


Myth - Pro-anorexia means you want to get an eating disorder.

Fact - Pro anorexia is a movement of people who already have eating disorders, and understand the struggle and pain an eating disorder can cause. To most people, "pro-ana" or "pro-mia" means you respect the right of an individual to make choices with their own life and to refrain from seeking help until they are ready.

There are some visitors to pro-anorexia web sites who are under the mistaken impression that an eating disorder is something you can play with or do short term, but most of these people are just dieters who want to claim the will power of anorexia and/or use the sites they visit for weight loss tips.


Myth - The purpose of pro-ana is to recruit new victims of the disease and to encourage others to eat in ways that aren’t healthy

Fact - The vast majority of pro-ana’s would disagree with this claim. The purpose of "pro ana" is to provide a supportive, nurturing environment for eating disordered people who are not ready to enter recovery yet. Most sites offer a warning to non-eating disordered visitors warning them of the danger of trying on eating disordered behavior and encouraging them to look else where healthy diet information. Very few want to encourage other people to develop disorders. If you see a site where this is the case, rest assured the person does not represent the majority of pro-ana individuals.


Myth - Showing diet tips and “thinspiration” on your web site will teach someone how to be an anorexic

Fact - You cannot learn anorexia nervosa or any other eating disorder. They are not chosen; they develop. Using the diet tips or triggering yourself to want to lose weight by viewing pictures of thin models may help you drop a few pounds, but will not make you eating disordered. Real eating disorders go deeper then that, and involve intense self-hatred, fear, anger, frustration, medical illness, mental illness, emotional damage and trauma.

The information posted on this site is intended to help people who are not in treatment stay alive and stay focussed, because unfortunately a "screw up" like over eating can cause an anorexic to kill herself. While the tips might seem to encourage sickness, they are provided to help girls who otherwise might end up hurting themselves as punishment.


Myth - Pro-ana groups and web sites discourage people from getting help and going into recovery.

Fact - Very few pro-ana groups actively discourage going into treatment for eating disorders. The purpose of pro-ana is not to pressure others into getting sicker, but to be there for them. Most pro-anorexics do support those who enter into treatment. The only difference is that we understand not everyone is ready to go into therapy right away, and we seek to provide a place where they can find community until they are ready. This site and many of the other pro-anorexia sites I have visited offer information on recovery.