Do you feel a loss of control when you're around food?

Do you skip meals, or do you rigidly restrict your food intake?

Are you consumed with thoughts about your body shape or your weight?

Many people are aware of what an eating disorder is, but disordered eating may sound less familiar. Disordered eating is not a diagnosis but a phrase used to describe a range of problematic eating behaviors. The signs and symptoms of disordered eating are similar to those of an eating disorder, although they will vary with frequency and severity.

While disordered eating symptoms may not show up in exactly the same way as symptoms of an eating disorder, it has the potential to negatively impact your life and fracture your relationship with food and body.

Disordered eating takes a mental and physical toll on a person. Negative self-thinking can impact your mental health, and disordered eating habits can affect you physically, especially your cardiovascular, neurological, and intestinal health. Disordered eating also puts the you at high risk of developing an eating disorder.

If you find yourself struggling with:

• Frequent dieting or calorie counting
• Non-negotiable food rules
• Elimination of food groups or meals
• Feeling anxiety, guilt, or shame about certain foods or food in general
• Exercise to "punish" yourself for eating or to earn food
• Binging and/or purging
• Strained self-worth or self-esteem because of your weight, body shape, or body size
• Feeling out of control around food

… then you may be suffering from disordered eating.

What causes people to engage in harmful eating habits can be complex, and vary per the individual. Individual therapy can help people examine their past to understand what led to these behaviors and learn to accept and love themselves as they are. You can also work together with a therapist to create healthier habits and develop coping mechanisms for difficult cues or triggers.

If you're struggling with disordered eating and need support and guidance, a licensed therapist can help you create healthier habits for both your body and mind. Give our office a call today, and let's schedule a time to talk.