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disorder experiences as identical to those of women. Nonetheless, their different genders
will not prohibit mutual understanding.
Group facilitators who themselves struggle with eating disorders reaffirm a collective
identity based on a shared disorder. In framing a meeting’s prompt, Elizabeth explained,
“Sometimes it is really hard for us to ask for help.” In this example, “us” refers to eating
disorder sufferers. Elizabeth continued to add, “Most of the time, we’re all overachievers and
want to feel like we can do everything on our own.” On a similar note, in reflecting on the best
form of therapy for eating disordered individuals, group facilitator Victoria commented that
cognitive behavioral therapy works best for “us perfectionist types.” Eating disorder sufferers
understand themselves as sharing a particular sensitivity to each other’s condition as well as
personality traits. Linda joked that she wished she could screen people for eating disorders when
she is hiring employees. In her words, “If I could, I’d hire all people with eating disorders.
They make the best workers. They’re conscientious…they have a good work ethic. Things get
done, and they’re perfect.” Everyone in the group nodded in agreement. Participants agree that
having an eating disorder means that you will be a good worker and, more importantly, that it is
appropriate to make generalizations on the basis of whether or not one has an eating disorder.
From the Collective to the Individual: Building an Eating Disorder Identity
Participants’ collective identification as eating disordered locates the basis for their self-
trust, assertiveness, and anger in the eating disorder. To enjoy such benefits, participants must
identify as eating disordered. As a result, the eating disorder becomes participants’ primary
identity. Becky put it simply: “Most of the time I just feel like a walking eating disorder.” To
borrow from Brekhus, the eating disorder identity becomes a noun, rather than a verb or
adjective (2003). Participants come to organize their lives around their identity as eating
disordered, as opposed to the eating disorder constituting a mere component of their selves. Two
mechanisms enable participants’ identity transformation: frame extension and disease extension.
Frame Extension
Social movement scholar use “frame extension” to describe the way in which a social
movement organization expands the limits of its framework to include points of view beyond its
own interests but of interest to potential members (Snow et al. 1986). Participants similarly
work to bring non-eating disorder issues within the framework of the eating disorder. The
Convention