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?
People of all body types, backgrounds, races, and socio-economic statuses can struggle with anorexia, regardless of weight, size, or shape. The dangerous rhetoric that all anorexic patients are “underweight” prevents many individuals from seeking treatment and recovering.
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.
