disordered eating therapy

Exhausted and depleted by your disordered eating tendencies? As a disordered eating therapist based in Vancouver, BC, let me be the first to congratulate you in recognizing it doesn’t have to be this way while reminding you that you are not alone. Stress is an inevitable part of life and like sponges we absorb stressors. When overloaded, it is natural to look for relief. But true to our biological wiring, our brain believes our existence is under threat and jumps into high gear to protect us. What it isn’t able to differentiate is real or perceived threat. So anything that numbs, comforts, distracts or allows you to disengage from the dis-ease you are experiencing is appealing. Simply put, emotional and binge eating offer momentary relief.

So who wouldn’t want instant reprieve? Great question! Unfortunately the numbing/distraction effect of a binge or eating in response to difficult emotions  is temporary in nature and if overly relied upon, can exacerbate your discomfort. This can lead to a path of chronic disordered eating tendencies, ultimately doing more harm than good. However, let me remind you that no matter how long you have been relying on such coping mechanisms, it is possible to improve your relationship with food. Exploring what led you to food as a coping tool is where we will begin. A healthy relationship with food is where we will aim to end. Such a journey involves you in the driver’s seat making the necessary adjustments to reach a place where your relationship with food is no longer plagued by fear, panic or overwhelm. Doing the work allows food to become an option, a delicious moment or two, a comfort, a means to connect with others and a better path to wellness. 

Eating Disorder:

• A diagnosable, serious mental illness that meets the specific criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition).
• Such an illness affects one’s thoughts, behaviours and emotions relating to food. 
• Often requires intense and multidisciplinary intervention.
• Eating disorders are separated into the following categories: 
  • Anorexia Nervosa 
    • Involves behaviours that prevent the maintenance of a healthy weight
  • Bulimia Nervosa
    • Involves food restriction, binge eating and compensatory behaviour to rid the body of food
  • Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
    • Characterized by eating specific types and quantities of food without an attachment to body weight, size or shape
  • Binge Eating Disorder
    • Defined by the recurring cycle of consuming large quantities of food usually in a short period of time followed by feeling shame and/or guilt
  • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder
    • Nonconforming presentations of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other eating disorders 
  • Other Eating Disorders
    • Pica, rumination disorder and unspecified feeding or eating disorder

Disordered Eating:

• Is characterized by a spectrum of eating or food related behaviours that have adverse effects on one’s physical and mental health.
• Disordered eating is not diagnosable due to its lack of consistency, frequency and/or severity but can still have significant health consequences if not health with properly.
• While disordered eating generally requires treatment in a less intensive form, support from a professional specializing in the area is advised.
• Included under the umbrella of what is considered disordered eating is as follows:
  • Chronic dieting
  • Binge eating
  • Skipping meals
  • Food preoccupation
  • Compensatory behaviours

Binge Eating:

• Defined by eating large quantities of food in a manner in which one feels out of control
• Not necessarily related to being hungry although it can be
• Generally takes place in a short period of time, is fast in nature and often done in secret
• Associated with feelings of guilt, shame and disgust
• If severe, consistent and frequent enough can lead to a binge eating disorder

Emotional Eating:

• Involves the use of food as a comfort, distraction or numbing agent to manage emotional triggers
• Factors contributing to emotional eating include but are not limited to:
  • Challenges dealing with emotions
  • Poor body image
  • Dieting and/or food restriction