Since it is impossible to always be around a person with an eating disorder (ED), this reality is what they use to essentially lie about their eating habits. You might meet up with a friend with a restrictive-type of ED, the type referenced in this question, and ask them to lunch, to which they will invariably respond, “Oh I just ate – I am so full!” or “I had a huge breakfast, I couldn’t eat another bite!” If you do happen to pressure them in some way to have a meal, such that you slept over their place and know for sure that they have not eaten any breakfast or substantial meal since the day before, they will often resort to Plan B. Plan B involves compensatory strategies such as purging, either self-induced vomiting or laxative use, or exercising excessively at some point in the day. Or they may “make it up” the next day by fasting all day. The real challenge for people with ED is when they live at home with family or have someone visit with them for an extended period of time. Again, though, no one can be around that person 24–7. They will always find a way to skip meals and lie about it or engage in compensatory strategies. You can’t follow them constantly, especially in places like the bathroom! They are masters at concealment.
One thing for sure, while people with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) are often average to above average weight, people with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), a restricting-type of ED, are by definition very underweight. Try as they may to conceal their excessively underweight appearance, people will eventually notice and call them out on it. Or you may observe suspicious related behaviors, such as them wearing long sleeve sweaters/sweatshirts or over-sized shirts in the summer. Concealing their appearance eventually becomes far too challenging. Of course some do not care what others think. I remember a young lady who used to spend hours on the cardio machine at my gym dressed very scantily and compulsively chewing gum (i.e., a common choice of non-caloric food substitutes for people with AN) looking extremely emaciated. She would cavalierly churn out cardio sessions in a seemingly unending manner apparently unconcerned about how others perceived her appearance or her behavior. As such, while ED behaviors can be concealed, the appearance of someone with an ED like AN can be a real challenge to hide!
Reach out today
Eating disorders thrive in secrecy—but recovery begins with support. If you or someone you care about is struggling with disordered eating, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Help is available, and healing is possible. Reach out today to take the first step toward a healthier, more balanced life.
