11 million people suffer, many in silence. Shame, blame, stereotyping and discrimination keep them mute. Except at the extremes, you would never recognize that there is a problem just by looking at someone with the illness. This is the face of eating disorders — anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating — and of stigma.
Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace, a stain or reproach, which sets a person apart from others. The stigma of mental illnesses, such as eating disorders, remains a powerfully negative force. In 1990, Congress established the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week in recognition of NAMI's (National Alliance on Mental Illness) efforts to raise awareness of mental illness.
Stigma exists for a number of reasons — misconceptions about mental illness, the view that mental illness is a sign of weakness or lack of control, misrepresentation in the media. Advertisers often use stigmatizing images as promotional gimmicks to sell products. This has a damaging impact on people who suffer from mental illnesses.
“One of the first things my therapist did was to help me say ‘I have bulimia,’” says Emily, a Montgomery County, Pa., resident. “I hadn’t realized how much shame I carried, or how long I’d waited to get help. As I began to accept that I had bulimia, I was able to acknowledge that I was deserving of eating normally.”
“I know that the stigma of anorexia affected me too,” says Breana, a student at the University of Pennsylvania. “All my life I’ve been seen as the perfect, smart girl. I still have trouble when other people say things to me like ‘you’re so pretty. Why do you need to lose weight?’ or ‘Just eat.’ This invalidates my struggles with anorexia.”
Emily and Breana’s stories reflect the problems with stigma. Many see eating disorders as diseases of vanity, selfish disorders that are controllable and easy to manage. People with eating disorders are rarely vain, and cannot just “get over” their problems. And most eating disorders carry a great deal of embarrassment.
“I have so much shame that I throw up. I can’t stop though. After binging, I need to get rid of all the food,” Emily says, validating the shame-based nature of bulimia.
Reducing stigma around eating disorders is crucial. It is important to educate people that eating disorders are serious and potentially life threatening diseases found in every segment of the population — young, old, rich, poor. If you do have an eating disorder, share your story and experiences with others. This puts a face on eating disorders and reduces shame. Finally, get involved when there are signs of stigma, such as correcting others’ misconceptions, or speaking out against media images that promote extreme thinness or vilify eating disorders.
Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov/
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