The landscape of mental health advocacy is shifting, but some shadows linger longer than others. National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 24 – March 2) shifts the global conversation to focus on a critical theme: inclusivity and the dismantling of stigma. While public understanding of eating disorders has grown, a subtle but damaging hierarchy remains in how different diagnoses are perceived.
By examining the lived experiences of those in recovery, it becomes clear that society often views restrictive behaviors through a lens of “discipline,” while viewing binge-related behaviors through a lens of “failure.” To truly change the conversation, we must address these internal biases and recognize that every individual struggling with their relationship with food deserves the same caliber of compassion.
The Dangerous Glamorization of Restraint
In the context of anorexia nervosa, the primary behavior involves the restriction of energy intake. Biologically, the body responds to this deprivation with clear signals of distress, such as headaches, lethargy, and intense hunger. However, for many individuals navigating this path, the internal drive to ignore these signals is frequently reinforced by external praise.
In a culture that prioritizes thinness and equates “willpower” with moral goodness, restrictive behaviors are often mistaken for admirable self-control. It is a common occurrence for those in the depths of a restrictive disorder to receive compliments on their weight loss or to be commended for their “dedication” to a diet. This societal validation creates a dangerous feedback loop. When a life-threatening symptom is treated as a personal achievement by peers and family, the motivation to seek recovery is undermined by the fear of losing that social approval.
Fortunately, some support systems do see past the physical changes to the emotional pain beneath, offering comfort and professional resources. Yet, the fact remains that the “restricter” is often afforded a level of protective concern that is not always extended to those with different diagnoses.
The Weight of Stigma in Binge Eating
In contrast, Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and other forms of disordered eating involving “loss of control” are frequently met with judgment rather than medical concern. On a neurological and emotional level, anorexia and BED share significant commonalities; both are often attempts to manage overwhelming emotions or reclaim a sense of agency. However, the social response to these two conditions could not be more different.
Where a person with anorexia might be met with “How can I help?”, a person disclosing struggles with binge eating is often met with “Why don’t you just stop?” This disparity suggests that society views binge eating as a character flaw or a lack of effort, rather than a legitimate mental health crisis.
This bias has devastating consequences for recovery. Many individuals find that the empathy they see offered to those with restrictive disorders is entirely absent for them. In some cases, families may rally around a relative with anorexia while simultaneously shaming another family member for their struggles with BED. This lack of community support often forces those with binge-based disorders to recover in isolation, feeling as though their successes are not worthy of celebration because their struggle is “shameful.”
Confronting Internalized Biases
The journey toward true advocacy requires a deep look into one’s own prejudices. Even those within the recovery community are not immune to these biases. Many individuals who struggle with restriction find themselves clinging to their specific diagnosis as a shield. There is often a hidden fear: the fear of being perceived as someone who “loses control” or someone whose body does not fit the stereotypical “look” of an eating disorder.
This highlights a painful irony. One might offer unconditional love and non-judgmental support to a friend with BED, yet internally feel a desperate need to distance themselves from that same diagnosis. To bridge this gap, advocates are moving toward a more unified way of speaking. By choosing to say “I am in recovery from an eating disorder” without immediately specifying the type, individuals can challenge the listener to view the struggle as a whole. This shift helps the public realize that the need for support, medical intervention, and empathy is universal, regardless of the specific behaviors involved.
A Call to Action for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
As National Eating Disorders Awareness Week begins on February 24, it serves as a timely reminder to audit our own reactions. We must ask ourselves:
- Does our level of compassion change based on a person’s body size?
- Do we view some eating disorders as “tragic” and others as “preventable”?
- Are we accidentally praising behaviors that are actually symptoms of an illness?
Everyone navigating the complex path of an eating disorder deserves a support system that encourages health without passing judgment on the current state of their struggle. By sharing these lived experiences and confronting our misguided judgments, we can create a world where recovery is accessible and validated for everyone, no matter their diagnosis.
