Eating Disorders
Eating behaviors that impact physical, mental, and/or social functioning.
Your life matters
Eating disorders are often stigmatized. If you feel you may have an eating disorder, your feelings are valid and you deserve support.
What does it feel like to live with an eating disorder?
While there are official criteria for diagnosing eating disorders, some have described it as feeling like:
Pressure from others or society
Many with eating disorders describe feelings of "not being good enough" or that people in their lives make them feel like they are not good enough. These feelings can lead to overly restricting or increasing intake in an effort to feel better about self-image.
Food always being on the mind
Some with eating disorders describe thinking about their intake more than most would. Thoughts centered around how much, when, where, and what food will be eaten or avoided.
Seeing a different person in the mirror
Some with eating disorders physically see themselves differently than others see them. They might see a totally different "body" in the mirror than what they really have because of psychological filters they have developed from past trauma.
A way to self-harm
Some have described restricting intake or binge eating as a subconscious method to self-harm or punish themselves. It is important to work with a professional and explore feelings to identify where they come from.
A way to feel in control
Sometimes restricting intake or binge eating can feel like a way to feel control in life when so much is out of our control.
Help is available
Eating disorders can impact life in some big ways. It is important to work with professionals who can provide resources and treatment to help you overcome the challenges you might face with eating disorders.
What causes eating disorders?
A variety of factors can play into the development of an eating disorder.
Things that happened when you were young.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are events that happen during childhood that can have an impact on someone their whole life. Examples include being exposed to violence, neglect, drug or alcohol use, and several more. ACEs are associated with higher rates of almost every mental health diagnosis.
Sometimes it's something you're born with.
Genetics can increase eating disorder risk. This does not mean people born with those genetics are destined to get an eating disorder, but they can be more likely to develop it sometime in their life, especially if they have other risk factors.
Life can be really hard.
Big life changes can be hard on our minds. Things like death, breakups, financial changes, and many other experiences can influence someone to revert to behaviors that become disordered eating. Even positive changes can cause stress that might bring about difficult feelings.
Your mind and body are connected.
Physical conditions like autoimmune, neurological disorders, or pregnancy can cause changes in the body and mind that increase risk of impaired intake. Also, having pain or discomfort from an illness or injury chips away at our resilience which can increase our odds of resorting to coping mechanisms that involve impaired intake.
Things can add up.
Can we improve disordered eating ourselves?
If you feel you have an eating disorder it is vital to seek professional treatment. During treatment, there are some factors that can be modified at home to increase resilience and improve treatment outcomes like:
Staying active
If there ever was a "wonder drug", activity/exercise would be it. Almost every aspect of life is shown to improve with regular activity and exercise. Click for strategies anyone can use to become more active with small manageable steps.
Giving our body what it needs
What we put into our bodies also affects our minds. Getting the right nutrients and supporting our "brain-gut connection" can be for everyone. Click to learn more about how to make small changes that add up.
Strong sleep habits
Sleep impacts mental health and mental health impacts sleep. There are subtle changes that can be made to our nightly routines that encourage more restful sleep.
Understanding emotions
Sometimes it is important to give yourself a break. Understanding where emotions are coming from can help you identify areas to improve, as well as let you go easier on yourself for things that may not be in your control.
Healthy hobbies
Hobbies can help us become better at handling the challenges of life. Hobbies are often overlooked as a mental health tool. They help us unwind, meet like-minded people, and can improve mood.
What treatments help eating disorders?
There are medication and non medication based treatments that have been shown to help with eating disorders. It is important to seek professional treatment as quickly as possible.
Medication
There are medication options for some eating disorders, so it is important to become established with a psychiatric professional in order to receive the right medication treatment for you (if needed).
Non-Medication
It is also important to consult with a mental health professional about non-medication treatments. Some may still require referral or a prescription. Examples of non-medication treatments include:
- Intensive therapy
- Vitamin modification
- Inpatient treatment
- Lifestyle changes
- Therapeutic groups
Which treatment is best?
It is important to find a mental health specialist that blends best practices and your personal preferences, to help create a treatment plan that works best for you.