Eating Disorders are Illnesses Not Choices!!!

Even though this message is blazoned across The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) homepage, few people understand this very important fact. Too often, anorexics, (not to mention bulimics and binge eaters) are blamed for their own illnesses, and have to bear the unfair judgments of other people on top of the intense pain, loneliness and hopelessness that go with the disease.

So I was happy to see findings of a study released today showing that people with anorexia are less likely to be blamed for their illness when the biological and genetic underpinnings of their disorder are explained.

Author Michele A. Crisafulli, who published the study as an honors undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, hopes that her finding will help "decrease the blame-based stigma that is associated with the disorder.”

The study will be published Jan. 9, 2008, in the online version of the International Journal of Eating Disorders, and appear later in the print version of the journal.

Dr. Cynthia Bulik, one of the great researchers in the field, head of UNC's eating disorders program and the senior author of the study (You might have read her book, Runaway Eating: The 8-Point Plan to Conquer Adult Food and Weight Obsessions) noted, “There is a lot of false information about anorexia nervosa disseminated in pop culture. This study suggests that even a nugget of accurate biological information can influence how health care professionals perceive the illness.”

Let's keep spreading the word. Anorexia is hard enough to beat without feeling blamed for getting it as well.

Be well,

Nancy

Comments

[Kelie Gardner]

Hi Nancy,
It's me Kelie and I wanted to give you an update since you interviewed me for People. After the article came out I was contacted by others who struggle with diabulimia and other eating disorders. Most wanted to give support and some wanted more information on diabulimia. Shortly after the article came out, I was contacted by FOX to come do a morning show. I was able to share a little more of my story. After going out to New York I realized that I needed to move back home where my support from friends and family is. I am now back in my support groups and counceling, back on the road of recovery. It truely is one day at a time and I thank you for being a part of getting me back on that road. I am still working on my book "Journey to Truth" maybe on of these days it will get published. Thanks again. Take care.
Kelie Gardner
keliegardner.com

[Nancy Matsumoto]

Hi Kelie,

It's great to hear from you, and to hear that the People story touched others struggling with diabulimia. I hope moving back home has helped you in your recovery and wish you the best of luck with your book. Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing!
All the best,
Nancy

[JEP]

I would love to wear a T-shirt with the same statement as your titled post today! I also feel health care professionals, for the most part, are either ill-informed or bias when it comes to ED's. I work in health care as well as struggle with a long-standing ED.

[Nancy]

Hi JEP,

You are so right about the health care profession. We'd love to hear some of the examples you've seen of bias within the healthcare profession against those with ED.

Take care,
Nancy