Eating Disorder and Disordered Eating

Disordered eating differs from an eating disorder in that the eating habits are irregular, but the symptoms are not necessarily as severe as those of a diagnosed eating disorder. These changes in eating habits can be caused by other unresolved mental disorders such as anxiety and clinical depression. Disordered eating can also be caused by other issues that are usually considered to be unrelated to mental disorders.

In some cases, disordered eating may be considered to be a grouping of less serious anorexia nervosa symptoms. In most cases, there is the presence of severe issues surrounding food and body image. In more serious cases of disordered eating, the symptoms exhibited may be similar or the same as those exhibited in classic cases of bulimia and anorexia, making these cases more dangerous.

There are many factors that influence and lead to disordered eating habits. These factors can include:

• Culture
• Personal Characteristics
• Emotional Disorders
• Trauma
• Stressful Life Changes
• Family History

Regardless of the reason, disordered eating is extremely damaging to your body, just as eating disorders are extremely damaging to your body.

Eating disorders are defined by abnormal eating habits that are detrimental to your mental and physical health due to either an insufficient intake of food or an excessive intake of food. Eating disorder is a broad term that is used to define a spectrum of disorders. These disorders include:

• Bulimia nervosa
• Anorexia nervosa
• Binge eating disorder

Each disorder is characterized by specific and persistent symptoms. However, the damage done is serious in all cases. Your body is not built to handle the extremes that it is pushed to when you have an eating disorder. In the most serious cases, an eating disorder can lead to death.

It is a well known fact that women are not the only ones that suffer from eating disorders. It is becoming more and more common for men to come forward and seek help through their eating disorders. I want to let you know that it is okay to be afraid. But it is important that you overcome your fears and seek help. Eating disorders are a dangerous and life threatening illness, and there is no reason for you to continue to suffer.

Through my own personal struggle with an eating disorder, I feel that I stand apart from other therapists. I have lived through, and recovered, an eating disorder. I want to help you understand that you are beautiful just the way that you are. I want to help you see yourself in the light that you can’t quite grasp on to. I want to help you build a plan for recovery so that together we can work towards a happier and healthier you.