What I Wish I Knew About Eating Disorders As a Teen

If you had asked me as a teenager what I knew about eating disorders, I probably would have repeated all the clichés: it’s about wanting to be skinny, you can tell when someone has one, and only certain types of people struggle with them. I thought eating disorders were something that happened to other people—not me, not my friends.

But looking back now, I realise I was wrong. I experienced some of these things myself, but I just didn’t know it at the time. I thought my thoughts and behaviours around food and my body were just “normal” or things that everyone dealt with. No one ever talked about disordered eating or unhealthy mindsets. But they should have.

So, if I could go back and talk to my younger self, here’s what I’d want her to know.

1. Eating Disorders Aren’t Just About Food

I used to think eating disorders were purely about what someone did or didn’t eat. But I now understand they’re often about control. They can be a way of coping with anxiety, stress, or feeling overwhelmed.

There were times when I would restrict what I ate as a way to feel in control when everything else felt uncertain. I never thought of it as an “eating disorder” because I didn’t fit the extreme stereotypes I’d seen in movies. But in reality, any unhealthy relationship with food—whether that’s restriction, bingeing, or obsessive thoughts about eating—deserves attention and care.

2. You Don’t Have to Be Underweight to Have an Eating Disorder

One of the biggest lies I believed was that eating disorders only affected people who looked a certain way. Because I wasn’t dangerously thin, I convinced myself that my habits weren’t that bad. I didn’t think that skipping meals, feeling guilty after eating, or obsessing over certain foods were “serious” enough problems.

But the truth is, eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. Someone can be struggling deeply while looking completely “normal” on the outside. Just because you don’t fit the stereotype doesn’t mean your feelings aren’t valid.

3. It’s Not Just Anorexia and Bulimia

Back then, I only knew about anorexia and bulimia. But there are so many other eating disorders that are just as real and just as harmful:

• Binge Eating Disorder (BED): This is when someone eats large amounts of food in one go, often feeling out of control or ashamed afterwards. It’s not just about “overeating”—it’s a real disorder that affects a person emotionally and physically.
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): This is when someone avoids certain foods, not because of weight concerns, but due to sensory issues, fear of choking, or other reasons. It’s often dismissed as “picky eating,” but it can seriously affect health.
• Orthorexia: This is an unhealthy obsession with “clean” or “healthy” eating. It might start with good intentions but can spiral into extreme restriction and fear around certain foods.

I now realise that what I struggled with as a teen wasn’t just “bad eating habits.” It was disordered eating, and I wish I had recognised that sooner.

4. Diet Culture Fuels Eating Disorders

Growing up, I was surrounded by messages telling me that smaller was better. Whether it was magazine headlines about “bikini bodies,” celebrities promoting extreme diets, or influencers praising “clean eating,” the pressure was everywhere. And the scary thing is, a lot of these messages are still around today—just repackaged into wellness trends, “that girl” routines, and fitness challenges.

I didn’t realise how harmful these messages were at the time. I thought I was just being “healthy” by cutting out carbs or tracking every calorie. But looking back, I see how quickly these behaviours can become obsessive and damaging.

Diet culture convinces us that we need to shrink ourselves to be worthy. But that’s a lie. You don’t need to earn your food, and you don’t need to change your body to be enough.

5. Recovery Is Hard, But Possible

If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: it’s okay to ask for help.

Back then, I didn’t think my struggles were “serious enough” to talk about. I thought I should just get over it on my own. But eating disorders thrive in silence. The longer we ignore them, the stronger they become.

Healing isn’t easy. But you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you reach out to a friend, a family member, or a professional, talking about it is the first step. No matter how far gone you feel, recovery is always possible.

If You’re Struggling, You’re Not Alone

If any of this sounds familiar, please know that you’re not alone. If your thoughts about food and your body feel overwhelming, if eating feels stressful, or if you feel out of control, you deserve support.

Here are some places that can help:

Bodywhys – The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland
www.bodywhys.ie
Offers confidential support, online groups, and information for anyone affected by eating disorders.

Pieta House
www.pieta.ie
Provides free mental health support for those struggling with self-harm and eating disorders.

Jigsaw – The National Centre for Youth Mental Health
www.jigsaw.ie
Supports young people dealing with mental health issues, including eating disorders.

Even if you’re not sure whether you “deserve” help, let me tell you this: you do. You don’t have to struggle in silence. And no matter what diet culture or your inner critic tells you, you are so much more than the way you look or what you eat.

Read More: Eating Disorder Myths