A Neurodiversity Affirming Perspective on Eating Disorders

In this essay we apply the neurodiversity paradigm to the topic of eating disorders. We begin by defining several important concepts, and then we build toward our main argument: because of our anti-fat culture, traits associated with eating disorder recovery, such as unrestricted eating and fat acceptance, are often more pathologized than traits associated with eating disorders; in particular, restrictive eating and anti-fat biases are normalized and even valorized in our society. We argue that eating disorder recovery can therefore be conceptualized as “neurodivergence,” given that unrestricted eating and fat acceptance are pathologized and deemed “abnormal” in our culture. Neurodivergence refers to thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that diverge from what society deems “normal” and are pathologized, and we assert that recovery paradoxically meets this definition. Finally, we end with ideas for mad/neurodiversity-affirming and fat-affirming eating disorder care. Rather than conventional models that aim to restore "normality" and "functioning," we explore a treatment paradigm that celebrates divergence from all oppressive social norms, that creates opportunities for cross-movement solidarity and positive neurodivergent and fat identity, and which supports people on a path of personal and collective healing and liberation from oppression.