Eating disorders are greatly misunderstood, leaving people who suffer from them often feeling isolated, disconnected and deeply frustrated about recovery. Despite wanting to move forward, there is confusion and conflict between the body and mind. Even though there may be a desire for progress, something stands in the way and healing feels elusive. Eating disorders range from diagnosable disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder, to Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, and Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder. These recent additions honour the truth about discomfort around food and/or eating and the painful relationship to food, which is reason for concern. However, issues with food, body and weight need to be addressed on an individual basis. Simply put, if you have issues with sitting down to a meal, if food scares you, or if you just hate to eat, this qualifies as disordered eating and may be a part of another underlying problem.
Eating Disorder Recovery
I believe that understanding and addressing the root causes of eating disorders is vital to the recovery process. If the focus is solely on the food, and not on the underlying trauma, the real truth about what has shaped this way of coping remains unresolved. Despite popular belief, eating disorders are not about food or the body, but about our inability to accept ourselves. There are many layers as to why specific habits exist with food and exercise, and it is the goal of therapy to unpack these layers and create a positive and loving relationship between yourself, your body and food - a relationship you might never have experienced. Healing takes place with time and through nourishing the body, mind and spirit.
What is an eating disorder?