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

Parents, Families, and Friends are Critical

We subscribe to the principles of F.E.A.S.T., a global support and education community of and for parents of those with eating disorders

  1. Eating disorders are biologically based mental illnesses and fully treatable with a combination of nutritional, medical, and therapeutic supports.

  2. Parents do not cause eating disorders, and patients do not choose eating disorders.

  3. Parents and caregivers can be a powerful support for a loved one’s recovery from an eating disorder.

  4. Blaming and marginalizing parents in the eating disorder treatment process causes harm and suffering.

  5. Patients should receive evidence-based treatment, when available.

  6. Families should be supported in seeking the most appropriate treatment in the least restrictive environment possible.

  7. Food is medicine: all treatment should include urgent and ongoing nutritional rehabilitation.

  8. When the family is supported, the patient is supported.

  9. Siblings and parents are affected by a family member’s illness; their needs deserve full attention, too.

  10. Parents have a unique capacity to help other parents with support, information, and the wisdom of experience.

  11. F.E.A.S.T. is committed to a coalition-building model of advocacy work that requires mutual respect among caregivers, professionals, and patients.

Caring mother and dad supporting sad tee
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