Why do people call anorexia and alcoholism a disease? Cancer is a disease. Eat more or drink less.?

I just don't get it. People say it is a disease, and then the people that have it blame it on a psychological addictiveness. I bite my nails because of a psychological addictiveness, does that mean I have a disease? Are these people just looking for sympathy for doing what they do?
17 minutes ago - 3 days left to answer.

Monalisa- please dont respond to this question unless you have an answer. Re-read the agreement for this site, you are an abusive user by writing something thats not an answer. Now leave me alone and stop whining and crying because ur answers suck.

i'd imagine that alcoholism falls into the same category as other dependent addictions, including drugs and gambling...

i very much doubt people do it for sympathy, or fun (would you want people knowing that you'd drunk enough to lose your house/job/marriage and to give you permanent liver damage?) when you'd in the grip of something like that, people do need some sort of sympathetic response - especially if they're trying to get out of it

and i don't think biting your nails quite comes close... sorry

and anorexia? it's a mental disorder that manifests itself in not eating, do some research, it's not as easy as 'eating more'

It help people support there cause, usually when some hears disease they gain sympathy and that furthers there cause. drinking is a not a bad thing when enjoyed in moderation, same thing with fast food, sugar, and soda pop. anorexic people are weak minded so they think there overweight.

Humans are not good in keeping moderation that's why it is so hard not to go overboard.

It's mainly to take away the stigma of alcoholism. There are some studies now pointing to it being genetic. Yes,it is up to the person to keep themselves under control,but don't judge if you have never been an alcoholic because you don't have a clue of what it's like.
Repeat the above for anorexia.