Is being very obese due to Dercums disease considered a handicap?

Why are some mental conditions considered a disease?

• There are some that I would definitely classify as a disease, but many others really need to be questioned... Anorexia, Alcoholism, and other "diseases" really don't seem to meet the definition of disease - they're self inflicted, easily avoided, non contagious, nongenetic.... I don't see why these things are called diseases. Example: A study by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reported that 5 – 10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease; 18-20% of anorexics will be dead after 20 years and only 30 – 40% ever fully recover 5-10% die within 10 years after CONTRACTING THE DISEASE?!? What?!?

• Answer:

  Anorexia is a disorder, not a disease. Anyone who calls it a disease doesn't have a proper grasp of language. I don't care who is writing the article. Anorexia is also not self-inflicted. These women and men don't have the proper coping mechanisms and have a mental illness. Nobody who is anorexic wants to be anorexic. It is incredibly painful and shameful for the person involved. These girls who come on here pro-anorexia are posers. Real anorexics are no more to blame than those suffering from OCD. Its an impulse disorder. You calling it self-inflicted is an offensive thought and unfortunately insurance companies agree with you. The women and men who die of anorexia often die because they did not get adequate medical care early on. Insurance companies, by and large, do not cover an eating disorder. Mental illness is not self-inflicted. And last I heard, alcoholism DOES have a genetic component. It is really easy to judge when you haven't walked that mile. ETA: I think you hit the nail on the head with your edit. There was a huge study done by Tulane University in the late 90's seeking connections between anorexia and ocd. I was part of the study (I'm not proud of this, but I was 68 lbs at 17). I was never made aware of the findings, but I have since read that there is a possible/probable connection. I wasn't a dieter. I was a complete restrictor. Some people think anorexia is about people wanting to be thin...its a lot more than that. There is a lack of control that seems to be a common vein in people with eating disorders. They can't control certain components of their lives, so they control what they can (and eventually lose control of that also). I hated being that thin. There was no happiness and no desire to lose more...just such an intense fear of food and "losing control" and such an intense shame and self-hatred. Anorexia also has one of the highest, if not the highest rate of suicides among sufferers. Its not a pleasant disorder and every time I see a young person come on here exhibiting the early signs, my heart goes out to them. I think popular culture has made it seem chic in certain circles. But the actual disorder is a mental illness and very cruel. You might do some research on body dysmorphia also. Its often related and sheds some light on the disorder. I appreciate that you are interested in understanding and apologize for being harsh. Knee-jerk reaction and I'm sorry.