Break The Cycle: Eating Disorder Symptoms and Recovery

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) is here. Let’s utilize this opportunity to understand what an eating disorder is described as and how to cope with it.

According to Eating disorder statistics, it affects 28.8 million Americans in their lifetime. This translates to roughly 9% of the US population, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue.

So let’s dig in.

What is an Eating Disorder Described as?

Eating disorders involve serious and ongoing problems with how a person eats. Because this can harm their mental and physical well-being.

What are the Warning Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorder?

Individuals who suffer from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or eating disorder NOS share a common psychological issue. They experience an excessive preoccupation with their body shape, weight, and the extent to which they can control them.

Normally, most people evaluate their self-worth based on multiple aspects of their lives such as relationships, career achievements, and athletic performance. But if you have an eating disorder, you primarily focus on your physical appearance and weight.

Some, people with anorexia nervosa persistently and severely restrict their food intake making them underweight. And above that, some individuals also engage in excessive exercise which further contributes to their low body weight.

This act of undereating provides them a sense of control. When they feel a loss of control over their eating, they resort to inducing vomiting, and misusing laxatives or diuretics. And it doesn’t necessarily mean they have eaten much food.

                              

Starvation often leads to several psychological symptoms such as:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of sexual desire
• Increased obsessiveness
• Occasional obsessive thoughts 
• Social withdrawal

Various physical symptoms, primarily caused by being underweight, include:

• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Sensitivity to cold temperatures
• An early sensation of fullness
• Decreased energy levels

                            

What Causes Eating Disorder?

According to the "trans-diagnostic" Cognitive Behavioral Theory, the excessive emphasis on controlling body shape and weight perpetuates eating disorders.

This psychological issue results in self-imposed dietary restraint, obsessive thoughts revolving around eating, weight, and physical appearance, incessant body checking (or avoidance), and the adoption of extreme weight-control methods.

The one aspect not directly linked to the core psychological problem is binge eating.

While this behavior is commonly observed in all cases of bulimia nervosa and many cases of eating disorder NOS, it does occur in certain instances of anorexia nervosa as well.

The cognitive-behavioral explanation suggests that these episodes largely surface when one attempts to adhere to rigid dietary rules. Failure to meet these rules becomes almost inevitable. And individuals view these lapses not only negatively, but interpret them as proof of their lack of self-control.

Consequently, they temporarily abandon their efforts to restrict their eating, leading to episodes of binge eating.

This sequence of events reinforces the underlying psychological struggle and the cycle of dietary restriction, escalating the risk of more frequent occurrences of binge eating.

Three additional factors can contribute to the perpetuation of binge eating.

First, the challenges individuals face in their personal lives and the associated mood fluctuations make it difficult to maintain dietary restraint consistently.

Second, binge eating can serve as a temporary means of alleviating negative emotions and acting as a distraction from personal problems, thus becoming a coping mechanism.

Third, individuals who engage in purging behaviors often believe that vomiting and misusing laxatives effectively help them control their weight. This flawed belief system removes a significant deterrent against binge eating.

In underweight individuals, both physiological and psychological consequences can contribute to the persistence of their eating disorder. For instance, delayed digestion leads to a feeling of fullness even after consuming small amounts of food. Furthermore, social withdrawal and diminished interest in activities prevent them from engaging in experiences that could, otherwise, help reduce the exaggerated importance they attach to their body shape and weight.

Emotional Eating: A Double-Edged Sword:

Emotional eating describes using food to manage difficult emotions, such as stress, sadness, or boredom. While it can provide temporary relief, it can ultimately perpetuate the cycle of eating disorders. The initial emotional comfort leads to feelings of guilt and shame after overeating, triggering restrictive behaviors or further emotional eating.

Childhood Experiences, Personality Traits, and Environment:

Childhood experiences like bullying, neglect, or a chaotic family environment can increase vulnerability to eating disorders. Personality traits like perfectionism, impulsivity, and difficulty with emotional regulation can also play a role.

Additionally, environmental factors such as exposure to diet culture, social media pressures focusing on unrealistic body ideals, and a lack of access to healthy food options can contribute to the development of eating disorders.

Eating Disorder Recovery: Tips to Overcome Eating Disorder

If you're struggling with an eating disorder, your mind is likely a whirlwind of thoughts centered on your weight and shape. These intrusive thoughts can take over, damaging your self-esteem and fueling the cycle of the eating disorder.

But it's important to remember: You have the power to break free and shift your focus.

                                

    Understanding the Overvaluation of Shape and Weight:

Think of your self-evaluation as a pie chart. For many with eating disorders, a massive slice of the pie is labeled "shape and weight." This overemphasis, technically called "overvaluation," has harmful consequences:

Losing sight of your whole self: Your worth extends far beyond your appearance. Obsessing over weight ignores your other amazing qualities and the things that truly matter in life.

The trap of perfectionism: Strict control over your body often backfires. It can lead to frustration, unhealthy eating behaviors, and ultimately keep the eating disorder going.

Pinpoint Your Problem Areas:

The Over Evaluation Pie Chart: Visualize your own pie chart. What other aspects of life could fill it up (hobbies, relationships, personal values)? Seeing the imbalance helps you target change.

Engage in valued activities: Do things that bring you joy and make you feel good about yourself. This shifts the focus from your appearance to what brings meaning to your life.

Reduce body checking and avoidance: Gradually decrease the time you spend scrutinizing your body or avoiding seeing yourself. This helps you break unhealthy patterns and build acceptance.

Uncover the real feelings behind "feeling fat": Learn to identify the true emotions and experiences that might be hiding behind that sense of being "fat." Explore healthy ways to cope with boredom, stress, or sadness instead of fixating on your body.

Explore the Past, Embrace the Present:

Origins of Overvaluation: Discuss with your therapist how your sensitivity to weight and shape developed. Understanding the past can help you gain distance from those outdated thoughts.

Challenge old beliefs: If a specific event triggered you’re eating disorder, work towards reappraising the situation from a healthier perspective with the support of your therapist.

Remember: You Are Not Alone

NEDAW serves as a reminder that countless individuals and organizations support those struggling with eating disorders. By raising awareness, sharing resources, and seeking help, we can break the cycle and empower individuals to reclaim their lives. Recovering from an eating disorder is a process. Be kind to yourself as you work to change your thought patterns and behaviors. Seek professional help from a therapist or registered dietitian specializing in eating disorders. They will be your guide, empowering you on your journey towards healing.

 

Sources

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders
2. prezi.com/fvticxdzzlh9/anorexia-nervosa/