Teachers provide generations of young people with the knowledge they will carry throughout their lifetime. They also hold a certain responsibility for the well-being of their students, which can be challenging. What can you do if you are a teacher or school staff member and you suspect that a student has an eating disorder?
While eating disorders all share certain commonalities, it is essential to distinguish between each type of eating disorder to receive proper individualized care. Orthorexia has gained significant popularity over the past 10-20 years, and while it is not officially recognized as an eating disorder in the DSM-5, it is often confused with anorexia nervosa. Some aspects of these disorders overlap, but each presents differently, and it is crucial to distinguish between the two.
If someone mentions eating disorders, your brain might automatically envision a white, thin woman with thinning hair, brittle nails, and a pale complexion. Not only has this been the stereotype of what having an eating disorder looks like, but it also acts as the stereotype for anorexia nervosa (AN). Yet, AN affects people from all walks of life. It can present differently across all different bodies, and harmful stereotypes such as these can interfere with the diagnosis of AN.
