Submitted by Hank Blumfarb, LCSW and Robin Halpern, LCSW, DCSW
New research shows that our assumptions about disordered eating are often wrong. Many larger-bodied people are starving themselves and suffering tremendously as a result.
Their plight is vastly misunderstood by those who only see someone who appears large. The onlooker has no idea of the reality of this person’s severe struggle with eating.
The diagnosis for this, albeit controversial, is atypical anorexia nervosa. These individuals exhibit some or all of the same symptoms as someone with anorexia nervosa, except for the extreme weight loss.
Psychotherapy, along with other interventions, may help someone both understand and manage this misunderstood condition.
Your thoughts are welcome.
Click on this link for The New York Times to read more:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/18/magazine/anorexia-obesity-eating-disorder.html?smid=em-share
Thanks for posting this, Robin and Hank. I hadn’t heard of it, either, but it makes so much sense. A good argument for the Healthy at Every Size (HAES) approach! Jonathan
I’d love hearing more about the HAES approach!
Thanks Jonathan. Also speaks to the fact that people can be unhealthy at every size as well. And a book should never be judged by its cover.
Thank you for calling our attention to this interesting feature of anorexia. Eating disorders are certainly complex as they rarely follow one path.