Eating disorders are devastatingly difficult and can cause severe problems with weight, food and body image. It’s important to seek help early with a counsellor who has experience in this sensitive area. They will explore with you your current eating patterns, binge and purge behaviours as well as your thoughts and feelings around food and body shape. They will then develop a treatment plan to fit with your needs.
What Is An Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are serious, complex conditions that affect both physical and mental health. People with eating disorders may experience an obsession with food and weight, as well as distorted body image and distressing thoughts. They often display unusual behaviours like avoiding eating with others, hiding food or displaying other strange rituals around their meals. Other symptoms include unexplained weight changes, erratic energy levels and feeling depressed or anxious.The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and orthorexia nervosa. Anorexia Nervosa is the most dangerous and can be life-threatening. It involves a dangerously low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight and an unrealistic view of their size and shape.
Individuals with an central london eating disorder counsellor often have underlying factors which might include low self-esteem, traits of perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive tendencies as well as family dynamics or a history of negative experiences or trauma. It can also be linked to other psychological problems such as anxiety, depression or substance abuse.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is characterized by episodes of eating large quantities of food quickly and even when not hungry, to the point of discomfort. The episodes are often accompanied by feelings of disgust, guilt and shame. It is not the same as overeating and is much more distressing. People who experience binge eating may hide their eating habits, eat alone due to embarrassment and go to extreme lengths to access foods during an episode. They may also be prone to binge purging, which is when they try to get rid of the food they have eaten by self-induced vomiting or abusing laxatives or diuretics.
People who experience binge eating are often influenced by the diet culture in society which glorifies weight loss and stigmatizes larger bodies. Seeking treatment with a therapist who adopts a health at every size approach and can help them overcome the binge/purging cycle can be helpful. Medications and diet can also play a supportive role.
Orthorexia Nervosa
Eating healthfully is a great goal but it can become unhealthy when you obsess over food. Orthorexia nervosa is a disorder that involves an obsession with healthy eating. It may cause you to restrict certain foods or avoid eating at restaurants or with friends. Often, you will also spend time researching and cooking to ensure your meals meet strict criteria. If you avoid entire food groups and have severe rules around your eating, it can be a sign of orthorexia. You may also feel morally superior to others who eat less healthfully. Symptoms of this disorder include malnourishment, deprivation of vital nutrients, and an inability to enjoy a meal that has not been prepared by you or sourced from the best places.
Like other eating disorders, orthorexia is caused by negative underlying experiences and emotions. Seeking treatment can help you understand what has led to this behavior and how to overcome it. You can recover and live the healthy life you want.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient eating disorder treatment is ideal for individuals who require full-time care and medical monitoring. It offers a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where patients can learn to recognise and challenge the maladaptive behaviours used to cope with their distress such as food avoidance and vomiting.
Individuals undergoing inpatient treatment may be offered a range of therapeutic interventions including CBT, MANTRA and DBT. These therapies can be useful for addressing underlying emotional problems such as anxiety and low self-esteem. They can also help with coping with difficult situations and feelings that may arise during recovery from an eating disorder. Individuals who wish to pursue inpatient treatment can do so at Arthur House, a nine-bedded residential unit for adults with anorexia, bulimia, ARFID or BED/OSFED. The service is OHIP funded and can be accessed by adult residents of Ontario.
Conclusion
Eating Disorders are complex and can cause significant physical damage in both the short and long term. They usually involve extreme food restriction, erratic eating habits, obsessions with weight/food and unhealthy exercise behaviours. These eating difficulties often develop as a way of coping with uncomfortable feelings and pressure/expectations. Therapy can help to understand and tackle these underlying issues.
