Let’s Understand How To Manage And Treat An Eating Disorder

The term eating disorder can be frightening, a little confusing, and seem a little bit like a permanent fixture in a person’s life.

But what do these things actually mean? How do they affect us? And how can we take the necessary steps to try and get rid of them?

In this article, we’re going to explore just that.

What Is An Eating Disorder?

The word “disorder” can sound harsh, but I promise you it isn’t meant to. A disorder just means that something is out of place. Like when we’re thirsty, or tired, or hungry.

Anyone struggling with eating disorders doesn’t need to feel bad about themselves. Rather, they should seek the help they need from people who have the answers!

Here’s the breakdown: eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can have severe physical and emotional consequences. They’re often characterized by abnormal eating patterns, excessive concern about body weight and shape, and a distorted perception of body image. There are several types of eating disorders, each with its own unique symptoms, causes, and treatment approaches.

With help, humans can overcome most obstacles. We were made to be together, to lift each other up and support one another. Eating disorders (as well as many other issues with our health) can be likened to an enemy or an opponent. Those are the kinds of things we should face together!

So let’s go through a list of the most common eating disorders and explain how they might be handled.

There are four “categories” we’ll cover in this post. I put quotes around “categories” because most of these are specific eating disorders. The last is truly a category of things that don’t necessarily fit into one disorder.

Let’s jump into them:

Anorexia Nervosa

“Anorexia nervosa”, or simply anorexia, is an eating disorder that is characterized by a severe restriction of food intake. People with anorexia nervosa may have a distorted body image and fear gaining weight, even if they are already underweight. This disorder can have serious physical and emotional consequences, including malnutrition, organ damage, and depression.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder that involves episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting. People with bulimia nervosa often feel a lack of control during binge eating episodes and are consumed by thoughts of food and weight. This disorder can have serious physical and emotional consequences, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and anxiety.

Binge Eating Disorder

As the name suggests, binge eating disorder (BED) involves frequent episodes of uncontrollable overeating. People with binge eating disorder often feel a lack of control during these episodes and eat until they are uncomfortably full. This disorder can have serious physical and emotional consequences, including weight gain, high blood pressure, and depression.

Other Specified Feeding Or Eating Disorders

OSFED is a category of eating disorders that includes disorders that do not meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder. Examples include atypical anorexia nervosa, purging disorder, and night eating syndrome. These disorders can have serious physical and emotional consequences, similar to other eating disorders.

The Natural Method

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One of the most common causes of eating disorders is psychological. This can stem from many things – worry about being overweight, a desire to have more control over your life, and more – but they all lead back to the psyche. This means we need a way to utilize our minds as a weapon against such ailments.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Media Literacy: Improve your media literacy by critically analyzing images and messages in media. Understand that many images are digitally altered, and the beauty standards portrayed are often unattainable.
2. Positive Affirmations: Practice positive self-talk and affirmations. Challenge negative self-perceptions and replace them with self-affirming statements.
3. Body Positivity: Follow and engage with body-positive social media accounts and movements that promote self-acceptance and inclusivity.
4. Limit Exposure: Reduce exposure to media that emphasizes unrealistic beauty standards. Consider curating your social media feeds to include content that promotes self-acceptance and diverse representations of beauty.
5. Self-Care: Engage in self-care practices that promote self-acceptance and mental well-being, such as yoga, meditation, journaling, and spending time in nature.
6. Unplug: Take breaks from technology and screens to reduce exposure to unrealistic body images and focus on real-life experiences.
7. Surround Yourself: Surround yourself with supportive and positive individuals who value you for your qualities beyond appearance.
8. Advocacy: Consider becoming an advocate for positive body image and self-esteem by participating in or supporting initiatives and organizations that challenge unrealistic beauty standards.
9. Educate Others: Share your knowledge about the harmful effects of media pressure and the importance of body acceptance with friends and family. Encourage them to join the movement for healthier body image.
10. Mindful Eating: Practice mindful eating to foster a healthier relationship with food and body. Focus on the sensory experience of eating rather than rigid dietary rules.
11. Gratitude: Practice gratitude by acknowledging and appreciating the strengths and attributes that make you unique.
12. Physical Activity for Well-Being: Engage in physical activity that promotes well-being and enjoyment rather than simply focusing on weight or appearance. Activities like walking, dancing, and hiking can improve mood and self-esteem.

A second cause (and, in my opinion, often the root cause of the issues with the psyche) is Social/Cultural.

Think about this:

The typical person these days is on their phone for 3 hours and 15 minutes a day. During that time, they are constantly shown images and videos of people doing supposedly better than them. If I decide I want to gain or lose a little weight, my phone might catch on through picking up on keywords I use in my day-to-day life and show me videos of people who look so much better than me, or tell me everything I’m doing wrong. Sometimes this is motivational, sometimes it reminds me of imperfections I didn’t even consider beforehand.

Our society is injected with the notion that we are all supposed to look one way, act one way, etc. When in fact we are all so very different, and my “healthy” may be a far cry different than a fitness influencer’s on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.

So the treatment for this problem? Turn the phone off. Go outside in the sun and try smiling at the people who pass you by. You will realize just how bright the world can be, and how perfectly you have been made, as soon as you can take for yourself a little bit of time to be present.

Remember: I don’t care who you are, you are not ugly, you are not wrong, and you are not less than people who have flatter stomachs or bigger muscles. You are here because the world needed one of you, not another one of them.

The third and final contributor to eating disorders that I have found in my research is caused by a snowball effect that starts with simple Dieting and Restrictive Eating:

The Relationship Between Dieting and Societal Pressures

The relationship between dieting and societal pressures is a well-documented aspect of eating disorder research. Many individuals begin their journey with seemingly innocuous intentions to lose weight or improve their health through dieting. These intentions are often motivated by societal pressures to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, as seen in the portrayal of extremely thin or “ideal” bodies in media, advertising, and fashion. Such influences create a culture of body dissatisfaction, leading to a desire for weight loss.

As people embark on their dieting journey, they may initially experience a sense of control and accomplishment, but the quest for weight loss can quickly turn into an obsession. This obsession can lead to the development of restrictive eating habits associated with anorexia, blurring the lines between healthy and disordered eating. Moreover, as I stated in the previous section: the constant exposure to images of models and celebrities in media fosters social comparison, where individuals assess their appearance and worth relative to others, often causing feelings of inadequacy.

As individuals continue to lose weight, they often experience a distorted body image, perceiving themselves as overweight even when they are underweight. This misperception can drive further restriction and reinforce the cycle of the eating disorder. Recognizing the signs of unhealthy dieting behaviors and societal pressure is crucial for early intervention, and various preventive efforts and awareness campaigns aim to promote a healthier body image and reduce the prevalence of extreme dieting behaviors.

Where Can You Go?

I’ve taken the liberty to add a list of some places that have the capacity and desire to help anyone struggling with eating disorders.

Seriously, if you’re struggling and need help, the bravest thing you can do is reach out and take the hand of people who want to help.

National Eating Disorder Association

Project HEAL

Recovery Warriors

Eating Disorders Hope and Recovery Hotline

Hope this article helped give you a better understanding of eating disorders. Please let me know if there’s anything I can add or change. Thank you so much for reading.