All children must deal with a whole host of issues as they grow up. Some…
Eating disorders affect many people, from those suffering from anorexia nervosa to binge eaters and people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). All have their problems, which if left unchecked, may be life-threatening.
There is usually a connection between food being consumed – or not being consumed – and emotional wellbeing. Filling your stomach may be to compensate for having a broken heart. Food may be seen as a punishment, or as something toxic and to be avoided or regurgitated. Calorie intake may be one of the few things a sufferer can control, so dieting, bingeing, and purging becomes valued symbols of misguided independence. Consequently, eating disorders are hard to shake off despite the clear physical and emotional damage they can cause.
Treatment can effectively reposition food as a necessary but not overly dominant part of life. Eating disorders often accompany other mental health issues such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or depression. In such cases, a good therapist becomes crucial in differentiating between cause and effect and establishing meaningful treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
