The Link Between Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating
Eating disorders and emotional eating have a complex relationship. While they are not the same thing, they can be connected in some cases. Emotional eating is a coping mechanism used to manage moods, while an eating disorder is a serious mental health struggle. According to NEDA, around 40% of adults engage in emotional eating at some point in their lives. While about 9% of the population experiences an eating disorder. This means at some point, many of us may have experienced one or both.
There is an undeniable link between eating disorders and emotional eating. For instance, individuals that use emotional eating as a coping mechanism may lose control and it turns into an eating disorder. Or, individuals with bulimia nervosa sometimes will turn to emotional eating as a way of managing episodes of binging. This can lead to further disordered eating and continue the cycle. In this blog, we’ll discuss the link between eating disorders and emotional eating, its impact on mental health, and some tips for managing these struggles.
What are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions. According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), they are characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating behavior or unhealthy use of food to influence mood or shape one’s body image. Examples of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED).
Signs You Have an Eating Disorder
There are signs and symptoms associated with eating disorders, including but not limited to:
Preoccupation with food, dieting, and body weight
Isolation from others to avoid group eating
Rigidity towards certain ingredients, brands, and preparation of food
New interest in “healthy”, “clean” or "low-carb" eating
Preoccupation with counting calories and getting on the scale
Unbending about meal times and plating
Frequent stomach pain or other gastrointestinal complaints
Weight change
Fainting, weakness, dehydration
Injuries from over-exercise
Believing your body is too large
Criticizing yourself for eating or not exercising
Seeking reassurance from others about your physical appearance
These are just some of the signs and symptoms associated with eating disorders. It's important to recognize the signs and symptoms so that early detection is possible along with getting the help and support needed. Getting therapy for eating disorders can be life-saving.
The Physical and Emotional Toll of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can often have serious physical and emotional consequences. They impact individuals physically by causing damage to the heart, bones, muscles, liver, and kidneys. They can also increase the risk of osteoporosis and infertility. Emotionally, individuals may struggle with low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. Eating disorders can also deepen feelings of shame and guilt about food and body size. This can also be worsened by our society's focus on body image and diet culture.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that some individuals are more at risk of developing an eating disorder. These individuals may include those with a family history of disordered eating, trauma survivors, and individuals in certain sports or professions that emphasize physical appearance. Individuals who are at a higher risk should just ensure they are being more aware and paying attention to their emotional and physical health.
What is Emotional Eating?
Emotional eating is a commonly known coping mechanism for many people. It is defined as eating in response to emotions. This can be emotions such as stress, burnout, boredom, anxiety, or sadness instead of physical hunger signals. Individuals may turn to food as a form of comfort or distraction. When an individual tries to control or suppress their emotions they may turn to food as a way of managing them. However, when they try to address the emotional eating itself, it causes more emotional distress, perpetuating the cycle.
The Impact of Emotional Eating
Emotional eating can be a major source of distress for individuals. It can lead to overeating, weight gain, and further disordered eating behaviors. Emotional eating can also increase an individual's risk for physical health problems, such as heart disease and stroke. Additionally, it can interfere with an individual’s ability to reach their health and wellness goals.
Understanding that emotional eating isn’t bad or wrong—it is actually a normal response to overwhelming emotions. However, it is important to focus on the underlying causes of emotional eating. Working through these underlying emotions can help to break the cycle and lead to healthier coping mechanisms.
Being aware of your emotional triggers and patterns can help in stopping before an episode of emotional eating occurs. It’s also important to reach out for help if needed. Talking to a therapist or health care provider can help to explore the underlying causes and find healthier coping mechanisms.
The Link Between Emotional Eating and Eating Disorders
There is a connection, a link, between emotional eating and eating disorders. Emotional eating can be the start of an eating disorder, or it may be a result of one. Emotional eating can start off as a coping mechanism but can become a pervasive habit without the individual even realizing it.
Furthermore, emotional eating can result from an existing eating disorder. Individuals may use food as a way to cope with the feelings that come along with an eating disorder, such as low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. As it has been shown, it is not uncommon for individuals to start using food as a coping mechanism when they are feeling overwhelmed or struggling with difficult emotions.
Emotional eating can also be a major factor in maintaining an eating disorder. For example, it can be used to numb feelings or gain a sense of control when feeling overwhelmed. Leading to it continuing the cycle of emotional distress and disordered eating behaviors. This can be done by the individual feeling shame and guilt for their food choices, their body size, or giving in to emotional eating.
Understanding the Psychological and Social Factors
Understanding that emotional eating and eating disorders are not solely about food or body size, but can stem from psychological and social factors is important. Psychological and social factors such as body image issues, low self-esteem, societal pressure, family dynamics, etc. can play a role in both emotional eating and eating disorders. From not only their development of them but also their maintenance.
Emotional regulation, impulsivity, and perfectionism can also contribute to the development and maintenance of these behaviors. When struggling with impulsivity, individuals can make impulsive decisions such as emotional eating. Perfectionism can come into play in eating disorders when individuals feel the need to maintain a “perfect” body size or food choices. It's important to acknowledge these factors because emotional eating and eating disorders can be difficult to overcome without understanding the underlying causes.
Seeking Therapy for Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating in West Palm Beach, FL
Seeking professional support for eating disorders and emotional eating is an important step in overcoming them. It can help you to explore the root and underlying causes behind the behavior, find healthier coping skills, and challenge distorted thoughts and beliefs. You can also learn to trust yourself and your body, and build self-esteem.
At Balanced Mind Counseling, we offer specialized and individualized therapy for eating disorders, emotional eating, body image issues, and more. We provide a safe, non-judgment space where we can explore the underlying causes and create a treatment plan that works for you. Other treatments that can be beneficial are nutrition support, group counseling, and medical interventions.
Other Treatment Options for Eating Disorders & Emotional Eating
Nutrition support can be found with a qualified dietician or nutritionist to help you better understand how food and your body work together. This can help you to create healthier eating habits and fill nutrition gaps slowly and effectively.
Group counseling can be a great way to find support from other individuals that are going through similar situations. It can also be beneficial in helping you to gain an understanding of your behavior, better understand how it affects others, and learn new ways to cope.
Medical interventions can be beneficial when the individual is struggling with a severe eating disorder or emotional eating. The goal of medical intervention is to restore physical health and nutrition.
Recovery from an eating disorder or emotional eating is possible but it takes time, patience, and dedication. Having an understanding of the psychological and social factors behind the behavior can be a great start to recovery. Remember that you are not alone in this journey, there is help available because you deserve to heal.
Begin Online Therapy for Eating Disorders in West Palm Beach, FL
Understanding the differences between healthy and unhealthy behavior is an essential part of getting out of disordered eating patterns. You deserve to heal and knowledge is only the first step. If you're ready to start your journey with Balanced Mind Counseling:
Start with a free consultation with an online eating disorder therapist in West Palm Beach
Go to your first therapy for eating disorders session
Start working towards a healthier life
OTHER THERAPY SERVICES OFFERED IN WEST PALM BEACH & throughout Florida
At Balanced Mind Counseling, whether you've noticed you cope with emotional eating or you struggle with an eating disorder, I can help you find the peace that you deserve. Our services are available to individuals in West Palm Beach or anywhere else in Florida through online counseling and therapy. In addition to providing therapy for eating disorders, I offer disordered eating treatment, Online Counseling, and Online Therapy for Stress and Burnout. Let's work together to find peace in your body.
