Eating Disorders and Body Image Problems
Eating Disorders and Body Image Problems
Eating disorders are extreme expressions of food, weight and body image issues experienced by all genders and ages. Eating and Body Image Disorders can be incredibly dangerous because the behaviors are often associated with significant health problems. When someone suffers from an eating and/or body image problem, it is imperative to seek professional help to assist in changing the unhealthy patterns and coping.
Common Eating Disorders Include:
Anorexia Nervosa:
A person who suffers from anorexia engages in severe restriction of food. Often has extremely low body weight for their height and often suffers from an intense fear of gaining weight, resisting all outside attempts of helping the person achieve an appropriate body weight. The frequent use of restriction can often help individuals to feel more in control of their life and to ease the pain of difficult emotions. Anorexia can be life threatening and requires immediate professional attention.
Bulimia Nervosa:
People who suffer from bulimia present with episodes of binge-eating followed by maladaptive techniques of weight control (e.g., vomiting, excessive laxative use, compulsive exercising). Excessive body concerns around weight and shape are also common problems for individuals suffering from bulimia. This behavior is often a response to problematic feeling states such as low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. Individuals can often fluctuate between feeling out of control (binging behavior), and then attempting to regain control by engaging in their weight loss efforts. Like anorexia, the physical and emotional impact of this problem can be devastating and requires immediate professional intervention.
Binge-Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food in a short period of time. A key feature of these episodes is a feeling of a complete lack of control over one’s eating. It is often driven by intense emotions like depression, anxiety, or daily stress, and can often be used to fill an empty feeling.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
People who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder obsessively focus on perceived flaws that they see with their bodies, even if these flaws are imagined or minor. This obsessive focus on their flaws interferes with their ability to function in a healthy and adaptive way in other areas of their lives.
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID can be broken down into three subtypes; sensory based avoidance, avoidance due to fear of a consequence, and lack of interest in eating. Unlike other eating disorders, a person with ARFID does not have body image concerns. Oftentimes ARFID can be seen but not limited to individuals who are neurodivergent and/ or exhibit OCD symptoms. ARFID can impact nutritional intake, increase medical concerns due to limited diet, and increased social isolation.
Understanding the root of one’s eating issues is imperative to try and stop the cycle of negative thinking and self-destructive behaviors. By identifying these negative thought and behavior patterns, we help our clients develop more positive relationships with their bodies, food and fitness. We work closely with nutrition, medical and exercise professionals in the community to help our clients develop a healthier approach to their eating and bodies.
If you are affected by any of these conditions, we can help. Check out our clinicians who work with eating disorders https://equilibriapcs.com/eating-disorders-center-of-excellence/
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