A Reluctance to be Defined 'Disabled'. How Can the Social Model of Disability Enhance Understanding of Anorexia?

Abstract

Most people would not ordinarily regard anorexia as a disability, exposing the narrow social understanding of the latter term, although for certain bureaucratic purposes, like claiming Disability Living Allowance, anorexia is demarcated thus. The oppression faced by people labelled 'anorexic' mirrors that which theorists suggest disadvantages disabled people, a similarity examined below using the social model of disability as a tool of enquiry. In addition, the reasons against and for defining anorexia as a disability, and arguments for incorporating the experiences of people labelled 'anorexic' into the Disability Movement will be discussed. This paper is based on the comments of nine interviewees, medically or self-defined as 'anorexic', whose words clarify and make theoretical discussion more engaging. It is anticipated that exploring anorexia in a new light will improve understanding of the condition and will also be beneficial to Disability Studies.