Eating Disorders

What is an eating disorder?

Living with an eating disorder can be a trying and distressing experience that often involves a complex interplay of emotional, psychological, and physical challenges.

Individuals with eating disorders can struggle to regulate their eating behaviours and experience overwhelming anxiety, guilt, and shame around food and body image. These struggles can be compounded by social isolation and stigma, as those living with an eating disorder may feel misunderstood or judged by those around them.

Those suffering from an eating disorder can experience various symptoms, including restricting their food intake, binge eating, purging behaviours, excessive exercise, and distorted body image.

It’s essential to recognise that eating disorders are not a choice but a complex mental and psychological condition. Living with an eating disorder can be an immensely difficult experience that requires support, compassion, and understanding from healthcare professionals and loved ones.

At Leone Centre, we believe it’s crucial to approach the topic of eating disorders with empathy and compassion. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, seeking help from a qualified professional is a crucial first step towards recovery.

Understanding eating disorders

Our relationship with food is complex and deeply personal. For some, that relationship can become unhealthy, leading to a range of eating disorders that can be difficult to understand and navigate.

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, and other specified or unspecified eating disorders all have one thing in common: they can cause immense physical and emotional pain for those who struggle with them.

These disorders can lead to persistent restriction of food intake, binge eating, purging behaviours, and other patterns that can be hard to break without support. And often, they coexist with other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and chronic stress, making the road to recovery even more challenging.

If you suspect that you or someone you love may be struggling with an eating disorder, seeking help is essential. With the right support, it is possible to break free from the cycle of disordered eating and cultivate a more positive and nourishing relationship with food.

You are not alone in this struggle. Seeking help is a brave and powerful step towards healing, and there is support available to guide you on your journey towards recovery.

Eating Disorders and Body Image

Eating disorders are often closely linked to body image issues. Individuals with eating disorders often have a distorted perception of their body size and body shape and may overfocus on their weight, appearance, or perceived flaws. Negative body image can fuel disordered eating behaviours, such as restrictive dieting, binge eating, or purging, making seeking help or recovering from an eating disorder difficult.

Body image is a complex issue influenced by many factors, including cultural norms, social media, and personal experiences. Negative body image can impact people of all genders, ages, and body sizes. It can lead to various adverse outcomes, including low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and disordered eating behaviours.

Building a healthy body image can be challenging, but with the proper support and care, developing a healthy and loving relationship with your own body is possible.

Here are some common signs of an eating disorder:

• Dramatic weight loss or weight gain
• Preoccupation with food, weight, and body shape
• Distorted body image or dissatisfaction with one’s body
• Obsessive calorie counting or other diet-related behaviours
• Skipping meals or avoiding certain foods or food groups
• Binge eating or purging behaviours, such as self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse
• Excessive exercise or an unhealthy preoccupation with physical activity
• Social withdrawal or isolation around meal times or food-related events
• Wearing baggy clothing to hide body shape or weight loss
• Mood swings, irritability, or anxiety related to food or weight
• Feeling cold or experiencing digestive problems related to disordered eating behaviours
• Developing rituals around eating, such as cutting food into small pieces or eating alone
• Physical symptoms, such as dizziness, fainting, or hair loss

It’s important to note that eating disorders can manifest differently and affect people of all genders, ages, and body sizes.

Eating Disorders and Relationships

Eating disorders can also have a significant impact on relationships with loved ones. Here are some ways that eating disorders can affect relationships:

1. Strained communication: Individuals with eating disorders may struggle to communicate openly and honestly about their food and body image struggles, which can make it difficult for their loved ones to understand what is happening and offer support.
2. Increased conflict: Disordered eating patterns can cause tension and conflict within relationships, particularly around meal times or food-related events. This can lead to arguments and feelings of frustration or resentment.
3. Social withdrawal: Eating disorders can cause individuals to withdraw from social activities or to isolate themselves from loved ones. This can make it difficult for loved ones to maintain a close relationship and provide support.
4. Reduced intimacy: Body image concerns and disordered eating behaviours can impact emotional, sexual and intimate relationships.
5. Caregiver worry: Loved ones may feel overwhelmed and stressed by the demands of caring for someone with an eating disorder, which can strain the relationship.
6. Trust issues: Eating disorders can lead to secrecy, deception, and mistrust within relationships, damaging the relationship over time.

Loved ones need to seek support and guidance in dealing with the impact of eating disorders on relationships. Family-based therapy, support groups, and couples counselling can all help improve communication, reduce conflict, and build more robust and more supportive relationships.

Family therapy can also help families develop methods for managing meal times and food-related events while supporting individuals with disordered eating in their recovery journey. Family therapy can help individuals with eating disorders recover and rebuild their relationships with those they care about by involving loved ones in the treatment process.

How can Therapy Help me?

Therapy can be an essential component of treatment for disordered eating. Our therapists at Leone Centre can help you identify the underlying causes of your disordered eating patterns, develop methods for managing triggers, and develop a healthier relationship with food and your body.

Here are some ways therapy can help:

Addressing the root causes: Your therapist can help you explore the underlying emotional, psychological, or environmental factors contributing to your disordered eating patterns. By understanding the root causes of your behaviour, you can begin to make meaningful changes.

Developing awareness: Your therapist can teach you methods for managing stress, anxiety, or other triggers that may contribute to your disordered eating. This can include mindfulness, cognitive-behavioural therapy, or other evidence-based approaches.

Identifying and challenging negative beliefs: Your therapist can help you challenge negative beliefs about food, your body, and your self-worth. This can involve developing a more healthy and realistic self-image and learning to accept and love yourself as you are.

Building a support system: Your therapist can help you identify supportive resources and people in your life, such as support groups or loved ones, who can help you on your journey towards recovery.

Remember that recovery from disordered eating is a journey, and everyone’s path to healing is different. With the proper support, guidance, and care, it is possible to overcome disordered eating patterns and develop a healthy relationship with food and your body.

A Multi-disciplinary Approach

Eating disorders often require a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment, which can involve a team of healthcare professionals working together to address the various aspects of the disorder. This team may include a therapist, a medical doctor, a registered dietitian or nutritionist, and possibly other specialists, depending on the specific needs of the individual.

A multi-disciplinary approach to eating disorder treatment can help individuals receive comprehensive, individualised care that addresses all aspects of the disorder. By working with a team of qualified healthcare professionals, individuals can develop the skills and support they need to overcome disordered eating patterns and look toward long-term recovery.