MHM Magazine

36 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | Issue 2 | 2021 MHM W hen reading the word “eating disorder”, what comes to mind? Take a second to think about this. For many, it’s the picture of a woman in her teens, emaciated, collarbones and ribs protruding through skin. As we started our respective careers working with clients diagnosed with eating disorder”, we certainly had some pre-conceived ideas as well. In the years we’ve worked with these clients we’ve learned the area of mental illness comprising of eating disorders is far more complex than what presents externally. We also learned how many of our clients are misdiagnosed and overlooked due to appearing normal in weight, or go through various well- intentioned, but none the less ill- equipped healthcare professionals before someone identifies and appropriately treats the eating disorder. These are some areas we feel are of use to doctors faced with these cases. • Eating disorders do not discriminate. This might seem obvious, but healthcare professionals are only human and enter their rooms with preconceived ideas of what might be presented in a certain individual. Eating disorders present in any gender, race and socio- economic income bracket. Although eating disorders By Karlien Terblanche Occupational Therapist Cape Town, Western Cape karlientherapy@gmail.com EATING DISORDERS – LET’S BE CURIOUS