Eating Disorders and Diverse Populations

As a voice for eating disorders awareness, education, and advocacy, I am glad to have a platform such as this blog where my voice can be "heard." Too often, popular media portrays a one-dimensional view of eating disorders. That said, I struggle with the fact that I am the exact stereotype that you see on television and in movies. I am a Lifetime Movie or After School Special waiting to happen. I am white, female, young, heterosexual, intelligent, middle class, and anorexic.

These facts don't make my story any less valid -- and they don't make yours any less valid either if you share these traits with me. However, when I say out loud that I have an eating disorder, I can do so with the assumption that people have heard of my eating disorder and will generally believe me when I tell them. The shock value, as it were, is minimal.

Furthermore, when I enter a treatment facility, I can rest assured that there will be women who look like me. This is true also of any community support group across the country. Any fears I have of entering a group are somewhat abated by the recognition of women who look, think, talk, and act like me. This "universality" is part of what makes group work therapeutic.

Eating Disorders and Minorities

So what happens when you walk into a group to find you are the only person of color there? Or the only male? Or the only person over the age of thirty? Or the only person with a disability? How are the cultural or lifestyle factors that influence your eating disorder different from the rest of the group? Are they discussed?

Will your voice even be heard?

I have been in treatment or in groups with men, women, people of color, older adults -- a whole range of diverse personalities, but they are the minority. And sometimes that means they are afraid to speak up and share their truth. And sometimes, their truth is drowned out by the sea young, white girls.

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Today's blog is less about what I have to say and more about what you have to say. What is your story? I have to commend the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) for their "Untold Truths Project." If your story is one that isn't usually heard, they are asking to hear it.

Your voice and your story are so very important to our understanding of eating disorders. Your voice and your story are what make politicians take note and set aside funding for eating disorder research. Your voice and your story let people know that they are not alone.

Please consider sharing your story with NEDA's Untold Truths Project. And if that seems too daunting, consider sharing your story (even anonymously) in the comments section of this blog. Your voice matters, and the floor is open.

Jess can also be found on Google+, Facebook and Twitter.