When Eating Is Disordered
Do your eating habits have you feeling out of control?
With overeating problems I can help you learn to trust yourself again and to identify the difference between hunger in your heart and hunger for food. I can help you feed your hungry heart with something besides food.
With anorexia or bulimia I can help reverse the negative mindset with unconditional acceptance, and an easing of your burdens of blame and responsibility. I will support you in approaching your life with more objectivity and less blame.
Types of Eating Disorders:
Compulsive Overeating: Compulsive overeating is characterized by uncontrollable eating and weight gain. This eating pattern usually starts in childhood as a way to block feelings instead of learning coping skills. Some use being overweight as a way to keep others at a distance. Symptoms include: depression, binge eating, and withdrawal from activities because of embarrassment about being overweight.
Binge Eating Disorder: Binge eaters consume large quantities of food until they are uncomfortably full. While similar to Bulimia, binge eaters do not purge. During an episode, they feel out of control and shame or guilt afterwards. They use food as a way to block out feelings. Symptoms include: weight gain, low self-esteem, fluctuations in weight, low self-esteem, fluctuations in weight, or going on many diets.
Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexic individuals consider themselves fat no mater what their weight is. They are perfectionists and use food to gain control because they feel out of control. This disorder of excessive dieting will kill between 10-20 percent of suffers. Symptoms include noticeable weight loss, excessive exercise, obsession with calories, and excuses for not eating meals.
Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimic individuals binge eat and then purge by vomiting or laxative abuse. They have low self-esteem or may not feel like they fit in. They use food as a source of comfort. Symptoms include: secretive eating, bathroom visits after eating, tooth decay, and substance abuse.
What You Can Do Right Now
Understand the feelings. When your eating is disordered, something is going on inside you that you can’t resolve. Learn what the mood or feeling is so you can focus on resolving it instead of resorting to destructive food behaviors.
Read up. If you suspect you or someone you love has an eating disorder, educate yourself. Look for books or websites that offer a quick self-test of signs and symptoms.
Commit to Recovery. Recovery from an eating disorder requires a high degree of commitment. It may involve medical supervision, a nutritionist, and psychotherapy.
If you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, call to receive a low cost introductory session.
Psychotherapy can help:
• Uncover the negative feelings that are associated with the disordered eating.
• Improve self-esteem.
• Learn how to feel the difference between hungry and full.