Everyone Needs To Watch This Powerful Video About Eating Disorders

Here's a public service announcement that shouldn't be necessary: DON'T F*CKING TELL PEOPLE WITH EATING DISORDERS THEY DON'T "LOOK LIKE" THEY HAVE EATING DISORDERS!

While I'm at it, don't tell anyone with any kind of disorder what you thought they would "look like." You might be trying to be nice, but that is one of the worst things you could say, especially when it comes to eating disorders.

In a video raising awareness for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Cut Video asked people to share how they feel when they hear the dreaded phrase directed at them. Often, one of the core issues at the heart of an eating disorder is a sense of shame about the body.

Even if you're trying to say someone looks great, what you're actually doing is delegitimizing his or her struggle. You're making the person feel ashamed of behavior that, according to you, was totally crazy.

On saying the phrase to someone, one of the women featured said,

It could also make that person want to use behaviors more so they can get to that weight where they look like they have an eating disorder.

So, if you're ever tempted to say this phrase to someone, do everyone a favor and don't say it.

If you or someone you know is in need of support for an issue like this, find more information here.

Citations: No, They "Don't Look Like" They Have Eating Disorders (Cosmopolitan)