Eating Disorders - It's Just Not About the Food

You probably didn’t wake up this morning choosing to struggle with an eating disorder.

But it’s not just about the food.

Body image concerns, obsessive thoughts, and food preoccupations are often coupled with anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and need to feel in control.

Food becomes an avenue by which internal pain can be “controlled” in an external manner.

When we feel incapable of controlling our world and our pain, it makes sense that we gravitate to whatever we can feel some sense of power over.

How do we break the cycle?

1. Talk about it.

Often times, unvoiced narratives in our minds control our thoughts and actions surrounding food. Seeking help from trusted friends, family members, and professionals provides an avenue to process experiences.

2. Practice mindful eating.

Whether your struggle is with binging, or abstaining from food, it’s important to take steps in repairing the relationship you have with eating. This may look like being intentional about eating slowly, and being aware of what you’re feeling while you eat. An important part of mindful eating is staying in the present and noticing your responses to food without judgement.

3. Journal.

Journaling and keeping a food diary can be a good way to look for patterns in your eating. This allows you to map out and catch different thought patterns that may affect your relationship with food. The purpose of this is not to calorie count, but rather to identify thought patterns and emotions related to eating.

Eating disorders are serious. In most cases, following these steps will not solve the problem. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, reach out to a professional for help.

Hannah Gambriel

Adolescent | MA, LPC

I help adolescent girls and their families, who are hurting, angry, and struggling to find their way through life’s challenges, to create real and lasting change.

Call for Free Consultation | (630) 397-1900

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