Nine Truths about Eating Disorders

Truth #1: Many people with eating disorders look healthy, yet may be extremely ill.
Truth #2: Families are not to blame, & can be the patients’ & providers’ best allies in treatment.
Truth #3: An ED diagnosis is a health crisis that disrupts personal & family functioning.
Truth #4: ED's are not choices, but serious biologically influenced illnesses.
Truth #5: ED's affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations, & socioeconomic statuses.
Truth #6: ED's carry an increased risk for both suicide and medical complications.
Truth #7: Genes & environment play important roles in the development of ED's.
Truth #8: Genes alone do not predict who will develop eating ED's.
Truth #9: Full recovery from an ED is possible. Early detection & intervention are important.

“Nine Truths” is based on Dr. Cynthia Bulik’s 2014 “9 Eating Disorders Myths Busted” talk at the National Institute of Mental Health Alliance for Research Progress meeting. Leading associations in the field of eating disorders also contributed their valuable input.