More Than a Disorder (2023)

Eating disorders often hide in plain sight, which is why so much of what an eating disorder is goes unnoticed and unheard of. Eating disorders affect women and men differently in many ways, one significant one being societal expectations and norms. This documentary shows anorexia and binge eating disorders for what they are, how they affect people, and gives us an insight into the trauma that Jennifer and Shawn go through each and every day. In this film, the couple, along with Jennifer's brother, Robert, recount their individual experiences with eating disorders from their own perspectives. We learn about both Jennifer and Shawn's initial struggles with the disorders and their different experiences navigating their struggles and eventual recoveries. Eating disorders are heavily stigmatized, yet they are still accepted and encouraged in our society. It keeps people in a cycle of being encouraged to diet but not encouraged to have mental illness. Eating disorders are heavily misunderstood and misrepresented due to these factors. Many people feel that they are pressured to diet and heavily restrict their nutritional habits, but they become outcasts and ostracized when they show symptoms of a disorder or any general mental illness. While there are parts of us that can be overwhelming and encompass our lives, that does not mean they define us. A person is not defined by their circumstances but instead by how they navigate and overcome their difficulties.