The Link Between Disordered Eating and Mental Health
The relationship between our mental health and our relationship with food is a complex and dynamic one. Have you observed any fluctuations in your eating patterns or behaviors in response to changes in your emotional state? Chances are if you pay attention, you could! This interconnectedness is a significant area of research in the field of mental health.
Disordered eating and an eating disorder are distinct concepts, although they may exhibit overlapping characteristics. While an eating disorder is a clinically diagnosable mental illness, disordered eating encompasses a broader range of abnormal eating patterns and behaviors that do not necessarily meet the diagnostic criteria for a specific eating disorder. Disordered eating behaviors, such as frequent binging, emotional eating, or restrictive eating patterns, can have a negative impact on an individual's physical and mental health, but may not be severe or pervasive enough to warrant a formal diagnosis.
Although it does not always meet the diagnostic criteria for a formal eating disorder, disordered eating behaviors can still have a profound impact on an individual's life. Research consistently demonstrates a high degree of comorbidity between disordered eating and various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
There are many possible factors that contribute to disordered eating habits, but research has identified two significant factors that may contribute to the development of disordered eating behaviors:
Unmet Needs:
Research suggests a strong correlation between unfulfilled psychological, emotional, and physical needs and the development of disordered eating behaviors.
These unmet needs can include:
Emotional needs: Lack of emotional validation, difficulty expressing emotions, unresolved trauma.
Psychological needs: Lack of autonomy, feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem.
Physical needs: Inadequate sleep, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity.
When these needs remain unmet, individuals may turn to disordered eating behaviors as a way to cope with underlying emotional distress.
The Need for Control:
For some individuals, disordered eating behaviors can become a form of control in the face of perceived or actual loss of control in other areas of their lives.
This can manifest in various ways, such as:
Restricting food intake: As a means of exerting control over their body and weight.
Compulsive overeating: As a way to cope with feelings of powerlessness or lack of control.
Psychotherapy can effectively address the underlying factors contributing to disordered eating behaviors. By exploring and identifying unmet emotional, psychological, and physical needs, individuals can gain valuable insights into the root causes of their struggles. Furthermore, therapy can help individuals challenge feelings of powerlessness and lack of control, fostering a greater sense of agency and autonomy in other areas of their lives.
By incorporating mind-body practices like Mindfulness or Somatic Experiencing, therapy can also help individuals address trauma stored in the body and improve their ability to regulate emotions. Disordered eating patterns can even be addressed utilizing EMDR therapy by a trained and experienced clinician. Ultimately, the therapeutic process aims to equip individuals with healthier coping mechanisms for managing stress and emotional challenges, reducing their reliance on disordered eating behaviors and promoting overall mental and emotional well-being. Finding a therapist who fits your desired goals and overall style can be one of the best tools in your toolbox for beginning to heal your relationship with food.
Here’s one important note to keep in mind:
Disordered eating is not an eating disorder. Individuals who suspect they may be struggling with a clinical eating disorder are encouraged to seek professional support. A therapist can provide an assessment and, if necessary, refer the individual to a specialist in eating disorder treatment. This type of illness may become life-threatening.
For further information and support, individuals can also explore resources such as:
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): 1-800-931-2237
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD): 1-800-931-2237
These organizations can provide valuable information, support, and referrals to qualified professionals.
Emily Hodge, MSW, SWLC
Resources
Froreich, F. V., Vartanian, L. R., Zawadzki, M. J., Grisham, J. R., & Touyz, S. W. (2016). Psychological need satisfaction, control, and disordered eating. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(1), 53–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12120
Garcia, S. C., Mikhail, M. E., Keel, P. K., Burt, S. A., Neale, M. C., Boker, S., & Klump, K. L. (2020). Increased rates of eating disorders and their symptoms in women with major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(11), 1844–1854. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23366
Mills, P., Newman, E. F., Cossar, J., & Murray, G. (2014). Emotional maltreatment and disordered eating in adolescents: Testing the mediating role of emotion regulation. Child Abuse & Neglect, 39, 156–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2014.05.011