DISABILITIES

EATING DISORDERS IN THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY

by DANIELLE SHEYPUCK and PATTI SCHROEDER

eople with disabilities experience unique stressors P that may contribute to the development and maintenance of an eating disorder. Though there is a lack of research examining relationships between disability and disordered eating, it is clear that eating disorders disproportionately impact some segments of the disability community. Disabilities are conditions that significantly impact or limit one or more major life activities, and impact each person uniquely. They can be physical, emotional, or intellectual, and many people live with significant disabilities that are unnoticeable to others.

ABLEISM AND CULTURE

People living with disabilities contend with a cultural bias that views them as fundamentally different and inferior to the non-disabled majority. This prejudice, oppression, and exclusion of people with disabilities is known as ableism. Our culture of ableism tends to make the world feel quite inaccessible and unwelcoming to people with disabilities. Society frequently does not make the appropriate accommodations for different abilities and needs. As a result, people with disabilities face numerous barriers every day. Although people with disabilities make up over 12% of the population, they are noticeably absent from popular culture. Only about 2% of TV and film characters are depicted with disabilities, and those characters are almost exclusively portrayed by able-bodied actors. The media continues to largely present and glorify a very homogeneous view of body size and shape, strongly skewing toward a tall and slender build. For most people, the bodily proportions over-represented in the media are dangerously unattainable. People with disabilities often experience the same pressures to meet these body standards, are as likely as their able-bodied counterparts to develop eating disorders and disordered body image, but are in eating disorder treatment programs.

BARRIERS TO SUPPORT AND TREATMENT

Difficulty finding appropriate help due to limited specialists dealing with feeding and eating disorders who also have expertise with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism or other disabilities. Treatment for an eating disorder can be quite costly, as is living life with a disability. People with disabilities frequently spend more than those not living with disabilities. People with disabilities are overrepresented in the lowest economic brackets, living on a limited income or government-funded disability payment. Simply getting from place to place can be a challenge for someone with a disability, making it especially challenging to access care in the traditional way. Medical professionals may overlook signs and symptoms of disordered eating, as they are often overshadowed by, or masked by, other symptoms of the disability. People with physical disabilities are regularly urged to diet and lose weight by medical professionals, often in derogatory or shaming ways, with the intention of increasing mobility. Depending on the type and severity of the eating disorder, many treatment programs require patients to attend for several hours a day, which could cause access issues for someone with a disability.

CONSIDERATIONS IN SEEKING SUPPORT AND TREATMENT

Individuals who need caregivers to help them type or write may prefer to fill out intake paperwork with the help of a therapist instead of their caregiver to maintain privacy. Many therapists have their paperwork digitized so they may be accessed online, which may make it easier for some to independently complete. There are more and more eating disorder treatment programs, therapists, and registered dietitians (RDs) offering telehealth options, allowing clients to log-on and participate in group and individual therapy. There are also free online support groups that can be accessed from the comfort of your home. It is important to find eating disorder treatment professionals who understand the importance of flexibility with your schedule, to allow for your other selfcare needs. which can be time-consuming and often require adherence to a rigid schedule. Take time to discuss your needs. Treatment will only be successful if you are able to consistently participate and feel comfortable with your providers. M