Why don't people understand that you don't have to be skinny to have an eating disorder?

I think that this is caused widely by the fact that people with restrictive eating disorders are shown as extremely underweight people in media. Even when you look up anorexia or a restrictive eating disorder, the photos all show very skinny people. There are so many misconceptions about eating disorders, and unfortunately this is one of many. I had anorexia then bulimia and then an EDNOS, and my weight was just everywhere… hopefully people will realize eating disorder misconceptions someday, and educate themselves on the facts. What we see in the mirror isn’t always trustworthy and we’re so much more than a number on a scale. You’re perfect and beautiful just by being you😊

It's a common misconception.. I'm sorry. I, suffered from anorexia, then bulimia, then binge eating disorder and then now EDNOS because I go from starving to bingeing then to purging and some days just starving etc. My weight has gone up and down .. then up again and then down. It's annoying that people don't get it. Sometimes it makes you feel as though you are not sick enough.. need to be sicker to fit the diagnosis. But please understand that this is just a misconception. Weight in itself is just a number on a scale.. don't let it define you.

Peoples perception of what skinny is and eating disorder means if you are overweight theres nothing wrong there are all types of eating disorders i know from experience at both sides losing weight on purpose and making myself sick from overeating i suffered from age 10 and eventually had therapy it helped me so much there are times it has reappeared in thoughts under stress or major changes in my life but i learnt how to deal and cope better from past experience and therapy today i havent had further episodes of starving myself or making myself sick it was very hard to face it i was in denial at first then i accepted it and looked at my underlying issues about myself how i see myself and why i did have bad relationships where i was called bad names and in childhood something traumatic happened working through the layers of this the stress and triggers i began to understand it and myself.

Unfortunately, there is a lack of common knowledge about mental illnesses and struggles in many communities. many people are unknowledgeable when it comes to these topics, as they are considered taboo in some places and disregarded completely. for some reason, people think anorexia is the most common ED, and anyone who is skinny has anorexia, when in fact, Binge-eating disorder is more common. so id say what makes people think only skinny people have and ED has to be the lack of knowledge and understanding that they have, and the fact that they refuse to educate themselves, or simply dont have the resources to.

It's the most common type and people tend to ignore some people over eat for comfort which is a form

People in todays time have been told that a eating disorder is where you eat way to much and has been uneducated on the true side of the issues

Society has created a stigma surrounding eating disorders, and spread the misinformation that anorexia is the only eating disorder, and only matters if the person is skinny. Eating disorders are dangerous in any aspect, and they are a mental illness, becoming thinner is just a symptom of some eating disorders. Sadly most people don't realize that.

Well... unfortunately, some people are too ignorant to understand that even if you try to tell them.

Most people believe the stereotypical eating disorder look such as unhealthily thin, bones showing. In all reality people who are different weights and body shape can get an eating disorder.

Because honey, people are idiots. People say things to hurt other people, people betray other people's trust, and people judge and jump to conclusions, I hope you've told an adult if you have an eating disorder, and I hope you're doing okay too, everyone loves you and I'm here, you're beautiful!😊