1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 &quot;You can have an eating disorder and not be in an underweight body.&quot;&amp;nbsp; This powerful insight from Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, Regional Medical Director at the Eating Recovery Center, challenges everything we think we know about food, weight, and mental health. In this eye-opening episode of RECOVERable, host Terry Maguire sits down with Dr. Wassenaar to dismantle the dangerous myths surrounding eating disorders. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ Dr. Wassenaar, a triple board-certified psychiatrist, explains that eating disorders are real, brain-based biological illnesses—not matters of willpower, vanity, or &quot;just a diet gone wrong&quot;. We dive deep into why these conditions are curable, the difference between &quot;disordered eating&quot; and clinical diagnoses, and the alarming rise of anorexia and bulimia in younger children. We also address the &quot;pathological aloneness&quot; that often accompanies mental illness and why community and connection are the strongest antidotes to the isolation of an eating disorder. Whether you are struggling yourself, worried about a friend, or curious about the signs of eating disorders in men and boys, this conversation provides a compassionate roadmap for understanding and seeking help. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 00:32 – What is the one thing society should understand? 02:06 – Why are eating disorders considered a mental illness? 06:34 – Is there a typical age when they start? 08:37 – Why are eating disorders starting at younger ages? 12:22 – How should we communicate with each other about bodies? 14:53 – What does disordered eating actually mean? 19:54 – When does it become a medical or mental health crisis? 23:45 – How does tracking calories and macros play a role? 37:34 – What are the signs a friend might have an eating disorder? 50:17 – Do guys get eating disorders, too? Questions the Video Answers: What is the difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating? Can you have an eating disorder if you aren't skinny? Are eating disorders a choice or a mental illness? What are the early warning signs of an eating disorder in a friend? Why are eating disorders becoming more common in children? How does social media impact body image and eating habits? Is it possible to fully recover and be &quot;cured&quot; from an eating disorder? What should I do if I feel suicidal due to an eating disorder? Do men and boys struggle with eating disorders? How can I talk to someone about their weight without being hurtful? Why do people use eating disorders as a way to regain control? What is the most fatal mental illness? How does &quot;diet culture&quot; reinforce disordered behaviors? What are the free resources available for eating disorder support? Why is connection and relationship important for recovery? #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth #recovery RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530407 <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/41209515/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/item/41209515