Eating Disorders Aren’t Always Obvious

Many people don’t realize that someone close to them has an eating disorder until they become dangerously ill. That’s because the signs of an eating disorder aren’t always obvious and can go unnoticed for years. Women and girls with eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. Some will not become underweight and many don’t look malnourished or ill.

Even if an individual doesn’t appear to have a severe eating disorder, the effects of dysfunctional eating certainly can cause dangerous medical complications. These seemingly “normal” persons can still present with the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, electrolyte count, and organ damage as someone you’d recognize as having a severe eating disorder. Many of these individuals could meet the medical criteria for hospitalization, and yet, many are not receiving the treatment they need.
Anorexia and bulimia may be difficult to detect in people close to you for two reasons: personality characteristics common to women and girls who struggle with these disorders and the secrecy and dishonesty they use to hide the unhealthy eating behavior.

The Perfect Cover

Women and girls with eating disorders are often high-achievers who tend to form their personal identities around success and performance. They may be straight “A” students, highly engaged in school activities, accomplished athletes, highly successful in their careers, extreme people pleasers, and “Supermoms.” They may be very popular with their peers. They tend to get along well with others and rarely cause anyone any problems.
Unfortunately, they are also likely to “stuff” and internalize their emotions. They especially have difficulty expressing and processing feelings of anger and shame. It is common for them to hide behind a mask of positivity. That’s why, at least in the initial stages of an eating disorder, everything looks fine—great, even. It’s no wonder that most people can’t see the pain that is being hidden behind their façade.

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