Do I have an Eating Disorder?
Written by: Ty Tate, Graduate Student Intern
Are you scared of gaining weight or becoming fat? Are you significantly underweight but don’t like your body? Are you not meeting your daily caloric and nutritional needs which places you in a high risk of malnutrition and extreme weight loss? Have you suffered from low-self-esteem, sadness, anxiety or even decrease stress levels? If so, then this is the Blog for you.
You may suffer from Anorexia Nervosa the restricting type. Anorexia Nervosa is a life-threatening mental health condition characterized by a fear of weight gain and disordered eating patterns.
Here are Some of the behaviors to look for:
Having many food restrictions or strict dietary needs
Making excuses to not eat (e.g. allergies or health issues)
Needing to review nutritional information for foods before consuming it
Excessive tracking of calories or food intake
Avoidance of social situations involving food
Skipping meals or having unusual eating schedules
Being overly concerned about weight loss, diet, or exercise
Being overly concerned with appearance or body image
Rigid and inflexible eating preferences and routines
Deceptive eating patterns like hiding or lying about food intake
Going to the bathroom frequently after eating
Regular use of laxatives, appetite suppressants, or weight loss supplements
Body checking behaviors including frequent weighing, measuring, or mirror gazing
Excessive exercise routines followed even when sick, injured, or in bad weather
Strange eating habits like cutting food in small pieces, blotting with napkins, or separating food
Causes and Triggers:
Like any other mental health disorder, there is no one cause of anorexia. And a combination of biological and social factors are thought to place some at a higher risk then others for developing this disorder. More chances than not, women suffer more then men and some research suggest that the societal pressure on females to be attractive and thin helps explain this gender discrepancy.
A history of trauma or the experience of high levels of stress are also associated with higher risk for almost all mental health conditions, including eating disorders like the one you are experiencing. Most mental health conditions are believed to have a genetic involvement, but this rate might be higher for people with anorexia. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated disorders, 50-80% of the risk for both bulimia and anorexia is believed to be genetic.
There are high rates of comorbidity with other mental health disorders in people with anorexia. While it is not clear that there is a causal relationship, it is estimated at 33-50% of people with anorexia also have a mood disorder like depression or bipolar.
Don’t worry you are not alone:
30 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder
95% of people with anorexia are between the ages of 12-25
10% of people with anorexia die from the disease, making it the most fatal mental illness
Suicide is the cause of 1 out of 5 deaths in people with anorexia
50-80% of the risk for anorexia is genetic
As many as 50% of people with anorexia have a mood disorder, anxiety disorder or OCD
80-90% of people with anorexia are female
In a study of adolescents, moderate dieters were 5x more likely to develop an eating disorder, and extreme dieters were 18x more likely to develop an eating disorder
42% of men who have an eating disorder identify as gay
Here some tips to try:
Get a journal where you can write your feelings throughout the day
Find a safe person/people to help you feel supported in recovery
If you live with someone, plan a discussion about your needs. There may be changes the person can make to help you
Notice mealtimes and content. If you record your level of satiety, urges to binge/restrict/purge, you may learn if there are foods that trigger you or length of time between meals that triggers you.
Notice the way you speak to yourself about your food, body, or behaviors. Begin to add positive statements, gradually letting go of negative.
Make a list of positive affirmations. Pick one and say it daily for one month.
Seek Professional help that can be either your primary care doctor to get a referral for a therapist or set up an appointment yourself if need be.
Know that recovery is possible, and you got this.
Does this sound like you? Reach out to one of our Therapists today.
Restoring Hope Counseling has multiple Therapists on staff with some who are able to take insurance, and some who are interns and provisionally licensed staff, who can provide counseling at a discounted rate. They all provide in Person or Telehealth sessions. Visit our “Meet our Team” page or contact us for further information to help you find the person who is the best fit for you.
