A Gentle Guide to Eating Disorder Myths
Compassion Over Assumptions
Eating disorders aren’t always visible—and they never look just one way. Let’s bust the myths and make space for healing.
What You Might Not Know
By Nutbrown Counselling
Eating disorders are often misunderstood—and those misunderstandings can get in the way of support, treatment, and healing. Whether you’re supporting a loved one, working in a helping profession, or exploring your own relationship with food and body image, it’s important to separate fact from fiction.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common myths about eating disorders—and the truths that challenge them with compassion and care.
❌ Myth 1: Eating disorders are a choice.
✅ The truth: No one chooses to have an eating disorder. These are complex, serious mental health conditions shaped by many factors—genetics, trauma, stress, emotional regulation, personality traits, and social messaging about food and bodies. Eating disorders are not about willpower or vanity. They are real illnesses that deserve real support.
❌ Myth 2: Men don’t get eating disorders.
✅ The truth: About 1 in 3 people with an eating disorder is male. And that number might be even higher—because many men go undiagnosed or suffer in silence due to shame or the myth that this is a “women’s issue.” Eating disorders affect people of all genders. Everyone deserves access to care, no matter how they identify.
❌ Myth 3: You can tell if someone has an eating disorder by looking at them.
✅ The truth: You can’t tell what someone is going through based on their body size or shape. Eating disorders occur in people of all body types. Many folks who are deeply struggling appear “healthy” on the outside—and that assumption can delay needed help.
❌ Myth 4: Eating disorders are just about food or wanting to be thin.
✅ The truth: Food, weight, and body image are often symptoms—not causes. Eating disorders can be ways of coping with emotional distress, trauma, anxiety, perfectionism, or a need for control. They are about much more than food.
❌ Myth 5: Recovery is just about eating more (or less) and reaching a “healthy” weight.
✅ The truth: Recovery is so much more than adjusting eating habits or changing weight. While restoring physical health is often part of the process, eating disorders are rooted in thought patterns, emotional distress, and deeply held beliefs. Someone can “look fine” or be at a medically appropriate weight and still be suffering. True recovery also involves rebuilding a peaceful relationship with food, healing one’s sense of self, and developing new ways to cope with life’s challenges.
❌ Myth 6: People with eating disorders are just looking for attention.
✅ The truth: Most people with eating disorders go to great lengths to hide their symptoms. These behaviours are not attention-seeking—they are coping mechanisms for pain, fear, or shame. What they often need most is compassion and understanding, not judgment.
❌ Myth 7: LGBTQ+ folks aren’t at higher risk.
✅ The truth: LGBTQ+ people face higher rates of eating disorders—especially trans and non-binary individuals. Discrimination, body image pressure, lack of affirming care, and gender dysphoria can all play a role. Eating disorder treatment must be inclusive and supportive of all identities.
❌ Myth 8: Eating disorders only affect white, thin, able-bodied people.
✅ The truth: Eating disorders exist across every racial, cultural, and body identity. BIPOC individuals often face stigma, misdiagnosis, or barriers to care. People with disabilities may struggle with food and body image in unique ways, and eating disorders often co-occur with substance use. Everyone deserves to be seen, believed, and supported.
💬 What Actually Helps?
Compassionate listening: Hold space without judgment.
Avoid body comments: Focus on how someone is, not how they look.
Encourage support: Therapy, nutrition guidance, and medical care can make a difference.
Stay curious: Keep learning and unlearning.
🌱 You’re Not Alone
Whether you’re struggling yourself or supporting someone else, it’s okay to reach out. Recovery is possible—and no one should have to walk the journey alone.
If you’re wondering about your relationship with food, body image, or control, connecting with a qualified therapist or dietitian can be a powerful first step toward healing.
Warmly,
Nutbrown Counselling
In-person & virtual counselling in Kelowna, BC
🌐 www.nutbrowncounselling.com
📅 Book a Session
📚 References
National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC). (n.d.). Eating disorders: General information. Retrieved April 6, 2025, from https://nedic.ca/eating-disorders/
Strother, E., Lemberg, R., Stanford, S. C., & Turberville, D. (2012). Eating disorders in men: Underdiagnosed, undertreated, and misunderstood. Eating Disorders, 20(5), 346–355. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2012.715512
Friedrich, M. J. (2020). Addressing eating disorders in LGBTQ individuals. JAMA, 323(4), 303. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.20774
Nagata, J. M., Ganson, K. T., & Murray, S. B. (2020). Eating disorders in boys and men. Pediatrics, 145(2), e20193254. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-3254
Goeree, M. S., Ham, J. C., & Iorio, D. (2011). Race, social context and health-seeking behavior: The case of eating disorders. American Economic Review, 101(3), 308–312. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.101.3.308
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). (n.d.). Myths & misconceptions. Retrieved April 6, 2025, from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
🔖 Disclaimer
The content of this blog is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns about eating disorders or mental health. Nutbrown Counselling provides therapeutic services within the counsellor’s professional scope and Canadian jurisdiction.