Writing a Character with an Eating Disorder

from Nick Fewings on Unsplash

So you want to write a character with an eating disorder. Get ready, do your research, and be prepared to face the truth of it.

First and foremost, I have to start off by saying this: eating disorders are not just about food.

Every single person with an eating disorder looks different, has a different story, feels emotions specific to them, and has their own journey and circumstances. However, there is one universal thing that never changes when it comes to this disorder: it boils down to the inner psychology of the individual. You must understand this. Eating disorders cannot just disappear once someone starts eating the standard three meals a day and/or receives therapy.

In order to effectively write a character with an eating disorder, you need to explore these four key points before considering anything else.

1. Personality

2. History/backstory

3. The people around them — Is there someone influencing them? Are they surrounded by people who routinely promote starvation or self-induced vomiting? Is there a form of abuse or toxic environment?

4. Whether or not the eating disorder is a vital part of your story.

Let me break down these four as to why they are so necessary.