The glamourisation of eating disorders

T/W: This article includes references to eating disorders and behaviours relating to this. 

Shannon (aged 20) is a second-year university student studying psychology with clinical psychology. Her own experience with an eating disorder has generated her interest in mental health and the interaction with social media. 

Eating disorder support communities 

Eating Disorder Awareness Week provides the perfect opportunity for activists and charities to educate others on what it’s like to live with the illness. The conversations around mental health are becoming more and more open. Although people with eating disorders are still facing stigma, there’s definitely an increase in understanding around these issues. This can be seen online especially. 

These online platforms, full of supportive communities and hashtags such as #RecoveryFamily and #RealRecovery, have brought people across the world together. Individuals have been creating their own social media accounts to share their experiences with eating disorders, and life in recovery. What can otherwise be a lonely experience, can suddenly be shared with others experiencing similar journeys.  

It is important to be having these conversations about mental health, including eating disorders. Charities like The Mix regularly encourage people to talk to friends and loved ones about their difficulties, as one in four people will experience mental health difficulties of some sort. However, despite the importance of tackling stigma and creating a sense of community, these online spheres can sometimes cause more harm than good. Sometimes, support and acceptance can become glamourising.  

What is glamourisation?  

When a behaviour is glamourised, it is made to look desirable or attractive, encouraging others to engage. For example, eating disorders are commonly portrayed in the media as being an attractive lifestyle. Anorexia is shown as merely an excessive form of dieting, as opposed to a life-threatening illness. People with Bulimia are portrayed as taking control over their weight, rather than losing control to the disease. 

Alternatively, individuals in the media with a Binge Eating Disorder are often compared to those who restrict their intake, and binge eating is portrayed as a personal failing as opposed to another form of disordered behaviour. This process of glamourising food restriction and compensatory behaviours overlooks the severity of these illnesses. There is nothing fun about eating disorders, and each type of diagnosis is as valid as another.  

How are behaviours glamourised?  

Very quickly, eating disorders can become a life-threatening competition. There can be a competitive aspect of the illnesses which can lead people to strive for the smallest bodies. This can create an urge for people with eating disorders to try and validate their illness online. If you have ever come across a social media account, documenting someone’s illness, you may have noticed very personal information being displayed in their online bios. 

Triggering information 

One of the most visible signs of an account glamourising an eating disorder is when triggering information is included in their platform. For example, some will openly share their current weight, lowest weight, BMI etc. Unfortunately, this can fuel other people’s eating disorders as they are likely to begin comparing themselves to these accounts. The sharing of triggering information often leads to the continuation of disordered thoughts and behaviours, and can increase their severity.  

Sharing details of hospital treatment  

Similarly, some people focus their social media accounts on their number of hospital admissions. This could be to a general ward or a psychiatric unit. Some may share photos of themselves on bed rest due to severe malnutrition or having a feeding tube administered. For the person in hospital, sharing this part of their treatment may help them find a feeling of personal validation. In other words, it can help some people to achieve a sense of being ‘’sick enough’’, which is fuelled by the eating disorder.  

Other people may comment on their photos, offering support and encouragement. As helpful as this may seem, when there is an emphasis on hitting rock-bottom, it can make it difficult for the person posting to accept help or recover, as their identity can quickly become all-consumed by their illness. Similarly, it can make those who have never been hospitalised feel they are failing at having an eating disorder, which can then trigger unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.   

Find out more about treatment for eating disorders here. 

What kind of posts might be glamourising eating disorders? 

It’s important to remember that it’s unlikely that these posts were made with harm in mind, but that doesn’t make the content any less damaging. Here are a few types of posts to be wary of when scrolling through social media (especially within the online recovery community):  

• Numerical or medical details  
• Number of admissions in bio  
• Photographs of feeding tubes or meal plans  
• Body-checking photographs  
• Before and After pictures 
• Calorie counting posts  

What can I do to reduce harm?  

For some, spending time living in a hospital is an important part of recovery. It can be an opportunity to improve eating habits, adjusting to a medication regime, and engaging in therapy. It’s also true that for some people, there are some enjoyable aspects of being inpatient, such as making friends. And it’s important to emphasise that no one has to portray their recovery as being easy or dismiss their struggles. 

However, it is important to remember that hospitalisation is not the norm and it is not something that should be desired. It is important to consider the vulnerable people who may be exposed to the information being shared; perpetuating the idea that mental illness is a competition is just as harmful to those sharing the content. Ask yourself:  

• Who benefits from this information being posted?  
• Can this point be made without being triggering?  
• Is this motivated by raising awareness or is my illness fuelling the content?   

Your experiences are valid. Regardless of your medical history, your weight, or your daily food intake. If you choose to share your struggles with an eating disorder or keep it personal. Regardless of the type of eating disorder you have / had. Your experiences are valid. This year, lets continue to create and share positive recovery content and stop the glamorisation of eating disorders. 

How to respond to posts in a helpful way 

• It’s important not to comment on the appearance of someone with an eating disorder when they share photos of their illness or recovery journey.
• If commenting on a Before and After post, you can make an encouraging comment such as saying they look happier or stronger, rather than commenting on their weight or physical appearance. 
• You can also reach out to them privately to offer your support.

If you’re supporting someone with an eating disorder 

Find information on the NHS site and, take a look at Beat’s helpful resource. 

Read The Mix’s article on supporting a friend with an eating disorder. 

This article gives helpful advice on how to keep yourself safe online when using social media. 

The Mix has lots of resources on eating disorders here.