“I had no idea something was wrong,” or “She just hid it so well I didn’t even realize she was struggling,” or “She didn’t look like she had an eating disorder” are common statements that I hear from parents or loved ones of those that I work with. Parents have been adamant that their child can’t possibly have an eating disorder because they eat! Every day even!
There are many preconceived and inaccurate beliefs about those with eating disorders, and there are some things that I wanna clear up for you. You deserve to know the truth and some do the people you have in your lives that are suffering and that we are completely oblivious to.
1. Those with eating disorders or disordered eating are masters at keeping their disorders a secret.
The clients that I have worked with have kept their patterns of restriction, binging, purging, and overexercising a secret from everyone in their lives. You might think you know and are confident that this is not your loved one. Everyone knows someone in their life with an eating disorder; they just don’t know who it is. I don’t say that to scare you, but I’m confident that if you knew, you would do anything to help your loved one. If your child or loved one has an eating disorder, it does not in any way reflect on who you are as a parent, and you are not to blame.
2. Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes.
Looking at someone is a very poor screening tool to know if they have an eating disorder. Eating disorders are deadly of any size. I will say that again, JUST to make sure. Eating disorders are deadly of any size. A person can be malnourished AT ANY SIZE. Someone can be medically compromised and in serious danger at any size. Well-meaning medical professionals may exacerbate eating disorders in patients who fall in the “overweight” (we will talk about this unhelpful terminology another day) by recommending weight loss as an option to “improve health.” According to Dr. Elizabeth Joy of the University of Utah School of Medicine, healthcare professionals should screen EVERYONE for an eating disorder first. It does not matter how much you weigh or how small or large your body is; you deserve help in recovering from your eating disorder.
3. Eating disorders are difficult for outsiders to understand.
I have had patients who described their eating disorder as an abusive boyfriend making them feel like garbage but are stuck and don’t know how to escape. Other patients I have worked with have expressed they feel that their eating disorder is something that provides them safety and security and does not see it as harmful. Restricting food intake will decrease anxiety in those with eating disorders. Nearly all the patients I have worked with have some form of anxiety that they use their eating disorder to cope with.
4. Eating disorders are about more than food and body size.
It is only at the surface that eating disorders are about food, body size, and physical appearance. “I’m fat” or “I’m ugly” are just the tip of the iceberg. In therapy, we explore what else there is to it. While nutritional rehabilitation is 100 percent necessary in eating disorder recovery, “JUST EAT!” will not serve your loved one. Empathy, compassion, warmth, and validation are a place to start. Therapy is also critical in your loved one’s recovery to truly understand more about their eating disorder and how they heal.
5. Eating disorders affect both men and women of all ages and races.
It is a myth that eating disorders only affect “white teenage girls.” This could not be further from the truth. Every race and ethnicity is impacted by eating disorders, and we must be aware of them. Women and men can be impacted by eating disorders at any age. I have worked with those in their early -teens to those in their sixties who are trying to find a way to freedom. Another population that goes unnoticed is men. There is a higher statistic of men who are impacted by eating disorders than what is reported. I remember at a treatment center I worked at, a psychiatrist told me, “Boys don’t get eating disorders.” I was horrified and shocked at the time when I was concerned about a young teen boy I was working with. That psychiatrist was skilled in many areas, but he just didn’t know how real eating disorders are in males just as well as females.
If you weren’t aware of these things, please know you aren’t alone. Please have compassion for yourself if you are noticing some signs in someone you love. Please, please, also know that despite the large statistic of people impacted by eating disorders, full recovery is possible. People get better and can overcome their eating disorders. One essential part of recovery is having a strong support system that I know you can provide for your loved one.
Eating Disorder Therapy in Utah can help
Everyone with an eating disorder has one thing in common: needing help from a mental health professional. Eating disorders are physically, mentally, and emotionally dangerous for people of any size. Getting help as soon as possible is the best route to ensure a full recovery. Often eating disorder treatment requires the assistance of not only a therapist but an eating disorder dietitian as well. There is no shame in reaching out for help.
Start Eating Disorder Therapy Near Provo, Utah
You don’t have to stay stuck in your eating disorder forever. You can find peace with food and body image. This Northern Utah Counseling Center has an Eating Disorder Therapist who specializes in eating disorder therapy. To begin eating disorder therapy, follow these steps:
Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation
Meet with a mental health professional
Begin eating disorder treatment
Online eating disorder therapy in utah
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, you know how important it is to work with a therapist specializing in what you are struggling with. Eating disorder therapy requires training and help from a qualified professional with extensive treatment in eating disorder recovery, AND that’s not always accessible and convenient in your town. This is why I offer Online Therapy in Utah so you can access a therapist who can help.
Online therapy means wherever you are. I can help you safely and conveniently. I provide eating disorder therapy through online therapy in St. George, Cedar City, Logan, Salt Lake City, Heber, and more.
Other Mental Health Services Provided by Maple Canyon Therapy
Eating disorder therapy isn’t the only counseling service provided at this Utah County Counseling Clinic. Other mental health services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy include body image therapy, binge eating disorder treatment, anxiety therapy, and EMDR therapy in Utah.
About the Author
Ashlee Hunt LCSW is an eating disorder therapist and owner at Maple Canyon Therapy in Spanish Fork, Utah. Ashlee holds two bachelor’s degrees from Southern Utah University, including a bachelor’s in psychology and a bachelor’s in Family Life and Human Development. Ashlee earned her master’s degree from Utah State University in Social Work. Ashlee loves working with women who struggle with eating disorders, including binge eating disorders and negative body image. When Ashlee isn’t doing therapy she enjoys riding her bike around the Spanish Fork River trail.
