Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating
Eating disorders are characterized by persistent disturbances in eating habits, thoughts, and emotions related to food, body weight, and shape. They can impact individuals of any age, gender, or background and often coexist with other mental health disorders.
Common Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa: Characterized by extreme food restriction, fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image.
Bulimia Nervosa: Involves episodes of overeating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Marked by recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food without compensatory behaviors.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Involves limited food variety, aversions to certain textures or smells, and may lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Note that while someone may not meet diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, they can still struggle with disordered eating and poor body image.
Signs & Symptoms
• Drastic changes in weight.
• Obsession with food, dieting, or body size.
• Frequent episodes of binge eating or excessive exercise.
• Social withdrawal and avoidance of meals.
Available Treatment
Recovery is possible with the right support and treatment. A comprehensive treatment plan often involves a multidisciplinary approach, including psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and medical supervision. Psychotherapy will focus on addressing underlying psychological factors, promoting healthy coping mechanisms, and fostering a positive relationship with food and body image. Psychotherapies such as CBT-E, IPT and DBT, among others, have research to support their efficacy. Intuitive eating counselling may also be appropriate for those experiencing disordered eating.