People who have anorexia or anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by severe food restriction and an intense fear of gaining weight.
From 'anorexic' (adjective meaning lacking appetite) + '-s' (plural marker). The term became common in the 20th century as anorexia nervosa was increasingly recognized as a distinct psychiatric disorder.
The term 'anorexics' shows how English turns medical conditions into identity labels—a practice that some find helpful for community and others find stigmatizing, sparking ongoing debates in mental health about whether we should say 'person with anorexia' instead.
The term 'anorexic' became culturally associated with young, white, middle-class women from the 1970s onward, creating a stereotype that excluded men, people of color, and working-class individuals from diagnosis and treatment.
When referring to people, use 'people with anorexia' or 'individuals with anorexia' to center the person over the diagnosis; acknowledge the diversity of presentation across genders, races, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
["people with anorexia","individuals with eating disorders"]
Activists and researchers—particularly women of color, LGBTQ+ advocates, and male survivors—have challenged the narrow stereotyping of eating disorders, expanding diagnostic awareness and ensuring equitable access to treatment across all communities.
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