Exploring the Complexities of Eating

Post by S. Khatiwada

Trigger warning: This post contains sensitive information about eating disorders.

There is no “right” way of eating; or is there? A common problem faced by teens all around the globe are eating disorders. An eating disorder is a mental condition that disturbs daily eating habits, causing major changes in the lifestyle including gaining/losing excess weight. This can further hinder the ability to function in important areas of life. Eating disorders are also linked with depression, anxiety, and other behaviors. Research says that around 13% of adolescents will develop an eating disorder by the age of 20. During COVID-19, hospitalizations for eating disorders spiked, doubling among adolescent girls (CDC). Knowing the different types of eating disorders is important for awareness, so here are three of the major types of eating disorders listed below:

1. Anorexia Nervosa - Anorexia is a serious condition where a person limits themselves from eating or drinking. Individuals with this disorder may experience a deep fear of gaining weight. Many have body dysmorphia (see their body differently than reality) resulting in slow physical growth and development, self-established limitations on food intake, major weight loss, and mental stress. 

2. Binge eating disorder (BED) - Binge Eating Disorder is a serious mental illness where an individual may eat very large quantities of food without feeling like they’re in control of what they’re doing. People with binge eating disorders can become disconnected from what they’re doing during a binge and sometimes they even struggle to remember what they’ve eaten afterwards resulting in an excess gain of weight and potential associated symptoms of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

3. Bulimia nervosa: Bulimia is a serious eating disorder where a person eats large quantities of food and tries to compensate for overeating by vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or exercising excessively. Bulimia is commonly characterized as eating large amounts of food in an excessive pattern, regretting after eating, gaining weight, and feeling worthless after eating.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫?

1. Don't bottle up feelings and emotions; share them with someone that will understand you.  

2. Seek help from your parents or professionals.

3.Find a community of people online or in person that may face the same struggles as you so that you can be in this together. Help each other recover.

4. Journal your feelings. It is a great way of rediscovering your sense of self, something that is key to maintaining recovery.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬? 

1. Avoid talking about food, body weight, body image, weight loss, diets etc.

2. Educate yourself about eating disorders through resources and blogs like ours.

3. Listen to them, helping them feel heard and not alone.

4. Have an open mind and do not blame them for their situation.

5. Try to encourage and engage them to experience events in the real world so that they can focus on other areas of their life.

Resources

The listed resources below are helplines according to your country (if listed) for any help regarding eating disorders. You can always reach out to us for more helplines in your country

https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/eating-disorder-hotlines/ - US

https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/international - listed

16600133666 - Nepal Mental Health Helpline

Recovery is a slow and hopeful process, so remember to be patient and stay strong. "Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it"- Tori Amos