Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are complicated conditions that can seriously impair one’s physical and mental well-being. Often, they co-occur with other mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which adds to their complexity. Individuals experiencing eating disorders typically engage in calorie restriction, binging, purging, or other disordered eating behaviors as ways to cope with their emotions and experiences. Over time and without intervention, these harmful habits can become deeply ingrained and develop into an eating disorder.

Though dangerous, eating disorders are treatable and specialized support is available.

The risk factors for developing all types of eating disorders involve an array of psychological, biological, and sociocultural factors. How these factors interact with one another and influence a person is unique to each individual. Eating disorders do not discriminate and can occur in individuals of all genders, ages, sizes, shapes, sexual orientations, ethnicities, races, and religions. It is estimated that thirty million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

There are several types of eating disorders, each with distinct characteristics and diagnostic criteria.

The most common types of eating disorders include:

Those struggling with eating disorders often do so in silence due to fear and feelings of embarrassment and shame, which can prevent them from seeking the support they need to get well. If left untreated, an eating disorder can be fatal. In fact, eating disorders are the second deadliest of all mental health disorders.

While the statistics surrounding eating disorders are scary, holistic healing and lasting recovery are entirely possible.

Despite the unique intricacies of each diagnosis, there are several indications that one may be suffering from an eating disorder.

Signs that a person may be experiencing an eating disorder include:

Preoccupation with body shape, size, or weight
Preoccupation with food or dieting
Creating rigid rules around food, eating, or physical activity
Skipping meals or vomiting after eating
Feelings of discomfort when eating around others
Withdrawal from social situations involving eating
Fluctuations in weight
Gastrointestinal problems, including slowed digestion and constipation
Menstrual irregularities
Difficulties concentrating
Anemia
Decrease of red or white blood cells
Underactive thyroid
Decreased hormone levels
Low potassium levels
High cholesterol levels
Dizziness or fainting
Persistently feeling cold
Trouble sleeping
Growth of lanugo, which is hair that helps the body stay warm when facing starvation
Dental problems, including enamel erosion, discoloration of teeth, cavities, and tooth sensitivity
Dry skin, hair loss, and brittle hair and nails
Impaired immune functioning

While the statistics surrounding eating disorders are scary, holistic healing and lasting recovery are entirely possible.

Have hope. Recovery is real.

With specialized treatment, one can uncover the root causes of their eating disorder, discover how to nourish themselves, and recover in body, mind, and spirit. At Thrive Wellness, we work with clients to mend their relationships with food and their bodies while developing important life skills, healthy coping mechanisms, and vital self-care practices for their entire well-being. As clients learn to love themselves and develop an identity outside of their eating disorder, they gain self-esteem, improve interpersonal relationships, and experience a better quality of life.