Most people with eating disorders often experience a range of intense and sometimes negative emotions and unhealthy behaviors that can be taxing on one's mental health. The specific feelings can vary depending on the individual and the type of eating disorder.
This article we will answer how people feel when they have an eating disorder and also address behavioral signs and physical signs to be aware of.
Introduction to Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. These disorders go far beyond food and eating habits—they impact a person’s physical and mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Eating disorders can develop in anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, and often involve unhealthy relationships with food, body image, and weight. Recognizing the symptoms of eating disorders early is crucial, as timely treatment can prevent serious complications and support a full recovery. Understanding the complexity of eating disorders helps break the stigma and encourages those affected to seek the help and treatment they need for better health and long-term recovery.
Common Signs Of An Eating Disorder
Despite the difficulties caused by an eating disorder, it can be difficult for someone to recognize they have a problem. People usually justify what is going on with them and dismiss any true mental health needs.
There are several risk factors that may contribute to the development of an eating disorder, including genetic, psychological, and environmental influences.
An eating disorder effects a persons mental health and physical well being.
Common signs of emotional distress and mental disorders associated with an eating disorder are:
It is also important to consider co occurring conditions, as many individuals with eating disorders may have additional mental health diagnoses that should be addressed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions that co-occur with eating disorders. Many people with eating disorders experience overwhelming anxiety about their body image, food choices, and weight. This anxiety can drive them to develop rigid eating patterns, avoid certain foods, or engage in behaviors like binge eating or purging. The constant worry about eating and weight can make daily life feel exhausting and out of control. Addressing anxiety is a key part of eating disorder treatment, as learning healthier ways to cope with stress and negative feelings can help individuals regain control over their eating behaviors and improve their overall well-being.
Guilt And Shame
Guilt and shame are powerful emotions that often accompany eating disorders. Individuals may feel guilty for eating certain foods, for not being able to control their eating, or for gaining weight. Shame can arise from not meeting societal expectations around body size or from feeling different from others. These emotions can make it difficult for people to seek treatment or talk openly about their struggles, leading to further isolation and distress. Creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment is essential for helping people with eating disorders feel safe enough to seek treatment, regain control over their eating, and work towards recovery.
Anxiety -
People with eating disorders may experience intense fear and anxiety related to their eating habits and current body image or a distorted body image. They may worry about healthy eating habits, weight loss, losing weight, or gaining weight.
A preoccupation with body shape is also a common concern for people with eating disorders, often leading to severe self-judgment and distress about their appearance.
In addition, they listen to their nagging eating disorder voice (a voice that only is of negative thoughts and can haunt someone to engage in self harm).
Guilt And Shame -
Many people with eating disorders feel guilty or ashamed about their disordered eating and behaviors around food. They may feel like they are never going to achieve a healthy weight and feel as if they are doing something wrong. Their guilt and shame can lead to mental health conditions stemming from feeling they are somehow flawed or inadequate.
Depression -
Often a person with an eating disorder feels lonely which can lead to depression. Eating disorders can be isolating and emotionally draining, which can lead to feelings of sadness and hopelessness. People with eating disorders may struggle with mental illness in their family history and begin to lose joy in activities.
Depression can also co-occur with other mental health conditions, including obsessive compulsive disorder, in people with eating disorders.
Obsessiveness -
People with eating disorders may become fixated on food. Sometimes the fixation is on certain foods and specific eating habits. Body weight overall - normal weight, weight loss, and extreme weight loss can cause excessive exercising, and effect coping mechanisms and thought patterns.
A person’s life can become filled with extreme fear and they can avoid eating or binge eat. Body image and low self esteem can lead to obsessive thoughts and behaviors.
After binge episodes, some individuals may severely limit eating or engage in behaviors like taking laxatives in an attempt to control their weight or manage guilt.
Someone can spend hours each day thinking about what they will eat, how much they will eat, and how they will compensate for any calories they consume.
Low Self-Esteem -
Eating disorders can take a toll on a person’s self-esteem and self-worth. People with eating disorders may feel like they are not good enough or that they do not deserve to be happy and healthy. A person with an eating disorder feels like nothing will ever get better.
The exact cause of eating disorders is not fully understood. Research suggests that a combination of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors may contribute to the development of eating disorders.
Gaining a better understanding of eating disorders and their cause is helpful, however, since eating disorders vary and each person’s experience is unique not everyone with an eating disorder will experience the same thing.
How Many Eating Disorders Are There?
There are several types of eating disorders recognized by the medical community, and it is important to understand the common eating disorders that affect individuals. The most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
Some of these eating disorders can be life threatening and may result in dramatic weight loss if not addressed promptly.
These conditions can have a significant impact on both physical health and overall health.
Anorexia Nervosa:
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and an extreme restriction of food intake, which can lead to severe weight loss.
It is important to note that individuals with anorexia nervosa can become extremely ill even if they do not look underweight.
Bulimia Nervosa:
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves binge eating followed by purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting or the use of or abusing laxatives.
Binge Eating Disorder:
A binge eating disorder involves recurrent episodes of binge eating, in which a person consumes a large amount of food in a short period of time and feels a loss of control over their eating.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID):
ARFID is an eating disorder that surrounds a persistent lack of interest in food, avoiding certain foods or food groups, and a resulting failure to meet nutritional needs.
Other Specified Feeding Or Eating Disorder (OSFED):
OSFED is a unique category and includes a variety of eating disorder symptoms that do not fit the diagnostic criteria for the other eating disorders.
Pica:
This is an eating disorder characterized by a persistent and compulsive craving for and consumption of non-food items, such as dirt or hair.
Rumination Disorder:
This disorder involves the regurgitation of food that is then re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out.
Can A Person Have Anorexia Nervosa And A Binge Eating Disorder?
While it is rare, a person can have both anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder (BED) at different times in their life, or even at the same time. This condition is sometimes called “anorexia-binge-purge subtype” or “anorexia-bulimia subtype” and is recognized as a subtype of anorexia nervosa in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
In this subtype, a person may restrict food intake to the point of severe weight loss, but then have recurrent episodes of binge eating and feel a loss of control over their eating. After the binge, a person may try to compensate by purging behaviors or engaging in other behaviors like exercising excessively.
Having both anorexia nervosa and a binge eating disorder can make finding the right treatment options more challenging, as the person may struggle with conflicting feelings about food and body image.
A personalized treatment plan is essential, as there are a variety of treatments available to address the unique needs of each individual. Proper treatment is crucial for recovery, and there are several ways eating disorders are treated, including early intervention, professional support, and family involvement.
Treatment options for this subtype typically involves addressing both the restrictive, binge and purging behaviors and may involve a combination of medical professionals, nutritional therapy, and mental health interventions.
Wrapping It Up:
In learning about how people feel with an eating disorder it is important to note that to gain or lose weight is part of the diet culture of America. Weight gain and extreme weight loss can have serious health consequences and medical complications.
If you or a family member are struggling with eating concerns, consider talking openly about your experiences and seeking help from a primary care provider or mental health provider who specializes in eating disorders. Involving a family member for support can make a significant difference in recovery. The National Eating Disorders Association offers valuable resources and guidance for those affected. Preparing your own meals can help you regain control over eating habits and support recovery. Families and caregivers can help prevent eating disorders by encouraging healthy eating habits and fostering open communication.
