Weight Loss & Eating

Eating disorders and the associated mental states

"Let's eat!" When we hear this invitation, many of us head off to the table to partake of one of life's most pleasurable activities. For others however, the summons to eat evokes only intense fear and anxiety. Why? Because while we are joking about our "comfort foods" others are suffering with serious eating disorders. As we occasionally indulge our feelings of disappointment, frustration, and even boredom with the foods we love, those with an eating disorder struggle with the out-of-control fears and anxieties associated with the stress of maintaining body image or preventing weight gain. For these sufferers, eating is a nightmare.

First let's break down the term, "eating disorder." "Anorexia Nervosa" is the intense fear of being fat. It results in slow starvation, excessive exercise and drug abuse to prevent weight gain. An anorexic maintains a body weight that is at least 15% below the norm. The quintessential anorexic has perfected the art of pushing her food around her plate without ever eating it. A bulimic has the same intense fear of getting fat, but uses food as a coping mechanism to cover up feelings of fear, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Bulimics will binge on huge amounts of high caloric food and then throw up within minutes of eating; or resort to regular laxative abuse. The compulsive (binge) eater, though not recognized as having a true eating disorder, abuses food in the same way as a bulimic. A binge eater may not resort to purging, however.

Eating disorders share some distinctive characteristics. Anorexics and bulimics struggle to regain power over lives that seem to be spinning out of control. During extreme stress, all eating disorder sufferers experience flare-ups as they desperately fight against increased feelings of helplessness. The inability to handle strong negative emotions is common to all of them. As a bulimic engages in compulsive eating, his out-of-control eating symbolizes his struggle to "stuff" his emotional pain. An anorexic deals with negative emotions by denying the existence of feelings. Refusing to eat is his way of denying fear and helplessness. Using food to deal with distress is common to all eating disorders. Studies have suggested that individuals with eating disorders may also share similar unhealthy family dynamics characterized by poor boundaries and unhealthy controls.

Individuals with eating disorders usually suffer with other types of mental health issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, and even depression. This is because the same patterns of wrong thinking and unhealthy emotions that lead to eating disorders also cause other mental problems. In extreme cases of distress, feelings of prolonged hopelessness can even lead to thoughts of suicide.

So, if you have a concern that you may be struggling with an eating disorder or experience low-grade versions of these eating struggles, what should you do?

1.

Realize that you are not alone in your struggle with food and weight gain. While fear, loneliness, frustration, anger, and low self-esteem can feel debilitating, they can also be life's thermometers. Their presence can indicate that you need to learn better ways of coping.
2.

Wrap your mind around this realistic goal for your future; that you can reach the place where your days are no longer consumed with thoughts of food and weight.
3.

Do the research necessary to help you make informed decisions about your recovery. Internet searches can help you locate online eating disorder help and answers to many of your questions. Chat confidentially with professional therapists with your desired expertise. While online resources can provide education and support, and therapist referrals, they are not a substitute for the caring and confidential relationship that can exist between you and your therapist. Once you've gathered your facts, complete the third step by making an appointment. While making that phone call may seem pretty scary, it's the best call you'll ever make. You're worth it, really, you are!