This blog mentions specific weights and BMI.
Eating disorders are not only the mental illnesses with he highest mortality rate, but also the most misunderstood. I've been in and out of ED services (mainly NHS) for 5 years, and I have only just found a private specialist who I am making progress with.
I believe one of the main reasons for this debilitating illness being 'complex' and misunderstood, is due to the stereotypes we as a society have placed on labels such as anorexia or bulimia. When people hear the word eating disorder, they picture a white woman, with a bmi of 10, who cries hysterically over an apple. Did you know less than 2% of those diagnosed with an ED are medically underweight? In fact, the majority of those who sadly pass away due to consequences of their disordered behaviour, are a healthy weight. Additionally, a restricted intake is anything below 1200 calories. A lot more than a singular apple!
In July 2020, I weighed 12 stone. In July 2023 I had lost more than half of my body weight. Would you believe it if I said I was being seen for the same eating disorder with both of these weights? Because 12 stone is a healthy weight, right? I fully stand by my argument that if I had been a lower BMI in the beginning, I would have recieved help a lot sooner. I would have saved me a ridiculous amount of hospital admissions and re-feeding! But because I presented as a healthy BMI (in other words, I was more than just bones), they didn't take me seriously.
There are two types of anorexia:
Anorexia Nervosa
A-typical Anorexia
Do you know what the difference is between these diagnoses? Being underweight. The DSM (Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders) Anorexia Nervosa is described as 'significantly low body weight'. Whereas the criteria for a-typical is 'individuals who have all features of anorexia, but present a healthy weight.
I'll tell you the difference between the mental and physical symptoms of these illnesses. None! Whether or not you are a low weight, your mental and physical health decline at the same rate. In 2022, I was refused the psychological help because my BMI was too low! I had to gain the weight without the help I desperately needed, to receive it! Seems a bit contradicting doesn't it?
So how come people who reach out for help in the earlier stages of their ED, are refused help because they are not 'sick enough'. (The funny thing is: a big part of eating disorders is never feel ill enough, and we are faced with professionals reinforcing these disordered thoughts!
My point is, I had the same disordered thoughts; disordered behaviour and distorted self-image at my highest weight as well as my lowest. However, I only received help if my heart was in distress due to the loss of muscle, or if I had lost enough weight.
EATING DISORDERS DON'T DISCRIMINATE!
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