Disordered Eating: How To Deal With It
You've probably been feeling anxious or stressed out lately and may have noticed that eating your meals is challenging. You're not alone—eating disorders are more common than ever, and an estimated 30 million people suffer from them in the United States alone. If you're struggling with an eating disorder, seeking help is essential.
Eating disorders are severe and devastatingly impact the lives of those suffering. It can even result in death. Eating disorders are mental illnesses, but they're not just about food or weight—they can affect anyone. People with eating disorders typically have a distorted view of their bodies and how they look to others. They may feel uncomfortable with how they look or believe that others will reject them because of their appearance.
What Are The Signs Of Disordered Eating
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, there's help available! The first step is to seek out a mental health professional. You may be experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder and not even know it. Some of the signs of disordered eating include:
Eating in secret. Eating alone or hiding food - Your eating habits may change when no one else is around, which could signal an issue.
Frequent binge-eating -You may devour large amounts of food and feel out of control and unable to stop eating.
Preferring specific foods (e.g., only chocolate)- Obsessing over a particular food to cope with feelings or stressors in your life. People who struggle with eating disorders often find comfort in food--it's an easy way to escape reality and feel better about whatever is bothering them at the time.
Eating large amounts of food even when not hungry – You can hardly control the amount of food you eat, even if your body can hold as much or even if it’s not the right time yet to eat.
Eating disorders are severe, and they can be deadly. So it's essential to know the signs to recognize the warning signs in yourself or someone close to you.
What are the most common eating disorders:
Disrodered eating is a serious mental health condition. Here are the three are the most common eating disorders:
Anorexia nervosa: A person with anorexia eats very little food and may exercise excessively. The person may also have a distorted body image and fear of gaining weight. This fear can cause them to restrict their food intake, even starving themselves. Those who suffer from Anorexia often exercise excessively (to try to lose weight) and engage in other unhealthy behaviors such as cutting body hair or self-mutilation (such as self-inflicted cuts or burns). They may also use diet pills and laxatives to attempt to lose weight quickly.
Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia involves binge eating or excessive exercise followed by purging (vomiting). The person often feels guilty after purging, which makes them feel worse instead of better.
Binge-eating disorder: People who binge eat do not eat enough foods in one sitting to cause weight gain, but they may consume large amounts at once without being full and then purging after eating it—for example, by vomiting or using laxatives. Those who suffer from Binge-eating disorders may also feel guilty afterward because they did not feel satisfied with their behavior, causing them to hide their eating disorders from others and have difficulty controlling their eating habits again.
What To Do If You Have Disordered Eating
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, seeking help as soon as possible is essential. Eating disorders can have severe physical and psychological consequences, and the earlier treatment is sought, the better the chances of a full recovery. Here are some steps you can take:
Talk to someone you trust: A friend, family member, or healthcare professional. Sharing your feelings with someone you trust can be the first step toward getting help.
Seek professional help: A healthcare professional or mental health provider trained in treating eating disorders can help you develop coping strategies and address any underlying emotional issues contributing to the eating disorder.
Consider joining a support group: Support groups can provide a sense of community and a place to share experiences and coping strategies with others struggling with eating disorders.
Take care of yourself: Remember to prioritize your physical and emotional well-being. This may include getting enough sleep, exercising healthily, and finding healthy ways to cope with stress.
This is not something you should be suffering with alone. We are here to help! If you or someone you love is struggling with Disordered Eating, don't hesitate to contact us; we have providers on the team who specialize in treating disordered eating. We are here for you!