DISORDERED EATING/EATING DISORDERS
Disordered Eating and Eating disorders
There are several reasons individuals may have a negative relationship with food. This could range from problematic eating patterns or views around food and its consumption. It can also be connected to a number of other issues such as, aspects involving sensory needs (specifically within neurodivergent communities). Our relationship with body weight, shape and appearance. This can present with unhelpful behaviours such as skipping meals, using dietary interventions including weight loss medication, laxatives and injections, elimination of specific food groups, binge eating and the use of compensatory behaviours such as excessive exercise and constant calorie counting with the ultimate aim of controlling weight.
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​Eating disorders are more complex in nature and can be distinguished from disordered eating due to their persistence in behaviours that have a significant impact on psychological functioning, accompanied with regular and significant episodes of depression and/or anxiety. This may include, but not restricted to diagnosed disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and avoidant, restrictive food intake disorders.
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Understanding origin
​There are a number of reasons why disordered eating and eating disorders develop. This can be due to biological (genetic or predisposed), psychological (characterised by traits such as low self-esteem/confidence, difficulty regulating emotions, perfectionism etc.) and sociocultural reasons (deeply embedded cultural definitions of what constitutes an ideal body weight and healthy eating – often distorted). Individuals may resort to managing their diet in ways which could be detrimental to health in order to gain control which can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food.
How can therapy help?
Talking therapy and specifically Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is recommended for the treatment of disordered eating/eating behaviours. We can provide a safe space in which to discuss emotions surrounding eating habits, helping to process emotions and explore any underlying contributing factors. By challenging thoughts and feelings an individual can regain control of their eating behaviour in a positive way, rather than it, controlling them. Therapy can be tailored to an individual’s needs and may be part of a mixture of interventions which could also include nutrition education and medication.