Eating disorders are complex, typically develop over time, and can stem from a variety of reasons. Eating disorders can be one of the most challenging and discouraging addictions to break. With other forms of addiction, people can avoid the substance, but with eating disorders you have to face your struggle every time you eat. Most often, disordered eating begins when an individual is trying to find a way to cope with a stressful situation or emotional problem. Once they have found a pattern of eating or exercise allowing them to feel some sense of control or normalcy, they start to generalize that behavior to other situations when they feel stressed or overwhelmed.
Excessive exercise becomes the norm, and restrictive or binge eating becomes a daily practice. It is typical that these behaviors become more extreme over time. The reason that people focus on eating or exercise varies. At its core, eating is one of the most primitive behaviors in which we engage. While the issues that drive people towards disordered eating may be related to emotional distress, relational turmoil, or distorted thinking, the expression of the behavior is most often about attaining control, power, and safety. While emotions, the context, or relationships can feel unpredictable, rituals around eating and exercise bring a sense of control. When one senses that they have little or no power in their life, a sense of mastery over their behavior decreases feelings of powerlessness. Feelings of danger or vulnerability can be combated by a perception on being invisible (extreme under-eating) or unwanted (extreme over-eating).
We work with individuals in a comfortable setting to find hope, freedom, and joy in the eating process. It’s important to identify the core problems and triggers associated with the over-eating, under-eating, or purging. We are gentle in our approach, never shaming or critical, and seek to understand the person as a whole. When appropriate, we work collaboratively with medical doctors and nutritionists towards making health a reality in our clients’ lives.
Statistics:
- It is estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder – seven million women and one million men.
- One in 200 American women suffers from anorexia.
- Two to three in 100 American women suffer from bulimia.
- Nearly half of all Americans personally know someone with an eating disorder.
- Anorexia is the 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents.
- 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.
- 50% of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight.
- 80% of 13-year-olds have attempted to lose weight.
- Only 1 in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment.
