Disordered Eating and Body Dysmorphia
Living with an eating disorder is like navigating through a never-ending maze filled with challenges at every turn. It’s not just about what you eat or don’t eat—it infiltrates every aspect of your life. You’re constantly battling against your own mind, which bombards you with destructive thoughts about food, weight, and your body. The physical toll is no joke either, with your health taking a serious hit as you struggle to maintain control. Yet, despite these immense challenges, there’s always hope. With support, understanding, and the right treatment, it’s possible to break free from the grip of an eating disorder and reclaim your life.
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by disturbances in eating behaviors, body image (body dysmorphia), and weight regulation. When we are active in our eating disorder, our obsessive thoughts often turn into compulsive behaviors and can manifest in a multitude of unhealthy ways. What makes treating ED is that they often coexist with other mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder which can make addressing them a daunting task.
At Epios Therapy, we understand that it is much deeper than food and our maladaptive behaviors are really just a sign that there is something else deeper that needs our attention. We tackle eating concerns and body image issues in a safe and judgment-free environment hoping not only to find temporary relief, but rather permanent change. Moving past these behaviors and patterns can be scary since despite the pain it causes ourselves and others, it may be one of our few comforts and even can be deeply woven into our identity. That’s why even though healing can be thought of as recovery, in all reality, it is creating an entirely new life free from our past burdens.
Different Eating Disorders:
Anorexia
- Individuals with anorexia often have an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to restrictive eating, low body mass, and an obsession with maintaining a low body weight.
- This disorder is associated with physical health risks, such as nutritional deficiencies, organ damage, and hormonal imbalances.
Bulimia
- Bulimia nervosa involves a cycle of binge eating, during which individuals consume large amounts of food in a short period, followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or the use of laxatives.
- Individuals with bulimia may maintain a relatively normal weight, but the disorder is associated with potential health complications, including electrolyte imbalances and gastrointestinal problems.
Binge Eating Disorder
- Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food without the use of compensatory behaviors seen in bulimia.
- Individuals with this disorder often experience feelings of loss of control during binge episodes and may eat even when not physically hungry. Binge-eating disorder is associated with emotional distress and may lead to obesity and related health issues.
Orthorexia
- Orthorexia is a term used to describe a preoccupation with maintaining a “pure” or “clean” diet, marked by an obsessive focus on consuming foods deemed healthy or pure while avoiding those considered unhealthy or impure.
- Unlike other eating disorders, orthorexia primarily centers on the quality of food rather than the quantity, and individuals with orthorexia may experience distress or impairment in daily functioning due to their rigid dietary rules.
What is Body Dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphia, also known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health condition characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws or defects in one’s physical appearance, which are often unnoticeable to others or exaggerated in the individual’s mind. People with body dysmorphia may spend excessive amounts of time scrutinizing and worrying about their appearance, leading to distress and impairments in daily functioning. These concerns can focus on any part of the body, but common areas of focus include weight, skin, hair, or certain body parts. Individuals with BDD experience significant impacts to their self-esteem, relationships, and overall quality of life, often leading to avoidance of social situations or compulsive behaviors such as excessive grooming or seeking reassurance about one’s appearance. Here are some symptoms that you may experience if you’re struggling with body dysmorphia:
Obsessive Concerns
Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder typically have obsessive concerns about specific aspects of their appearance, such as skin, hair, nose, or body size. They may spend excessive time examining, comparing, or attempting to camouflage the perceived flaws.
Compulsive Behaviors
People with BDD often engage in compulsive behaviors in response to their perceived flaws. These behaviors can include repetitive grooming, excessive mirror checking, seeking reassurance from others, or undergoing unnecessary cosmetic procedures.
Impaired Functioning
BDD can significantly impair social, occupational, and academic functioning, leading to avoidance of social situations, difficulties in relationships, and a negative impact on overall quality of life.
Insight Fluctuations
While some individuals with BDD are aware that their concerns may be excessive or irrational, others may believe their perceptions are accurate. Insight into the excessive nature of the preoccupation can vary.
Preoccupation and Distress
The preoccupation with the perceived flaws is distressing and time-consuming, and individuals with BDD may find it challenging to focus on other aspects of their lives.
You don't have to face eD and BDD Alone
Seeking treatment for disordered eating and/or BDD is a courageous step towards reclaiming your life and rediscovering your worth beyond the confines of food and body image. Choosing recovery means choosing a path towards healing, self-acceptance, and empowerment. With treatment, you can break free from the grips of destructive patterns and find healthier ways to cope with emotions and stressors. Embracing recovery opens doors to a future filled with joy, fulfillment, and genuine connections, unburdened by the constraints of disordered eating. Remember, you are deserving of a life where your worth is not determined by the number on a scale or the size of your clothing. You are worthy of nourishment, love, and happiness so take that brave step towards treatment, knowing that a brighter, more vibrant future awaits you on the other side. This can be a terrifying leap to make no matter if it is your first time looking at this area of your life, or if you are coming back from a relapse of behaviors. At Epios Therapy we are committed to provide a safe and judgement-free space to address these concerns and work towards creating a life worth living.