Challenges Of Eating Disorders: How Disordered Eating Can Impact Your Life

Medically reviewed by Melissa Guarnaccia, LCSW
Updated November 5, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team
Please be advised, the below article might mention trauma-related topics that include suicide, substance use, or abuse which could be triggering to the reader.
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Eating disorders are mental health conditions involving unhealthy and maladaptive behaviors related to consuming and processing food. They are often associated with concerns about body image, although some individuals may use disordered eating habits as coping mechanisms to process negative emotions. There are several challenges associated with living with an eating disorder, but there is also help available. If you’re experiencing disordered eating behaviors, consider reaching out to a therapist to start your recovery journey.

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Overcome the challenges of eating disorders in online therapy

Common eating disorders: Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder

Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder tend to be the most common types of eating disorders.

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa, usually shortened to anorexia, is an eating disorder typically characterized by an extreme fear of weight gain and resulting behaviors intended to help a person lose weight or avoid gaining weight. These behaviors could include fasting or excessive exercise. 

People with anorexia may experience extreme levels of weight loss that could result in medical complications and hospitalization, and in severe cases, anorexia can be life-threatening. 

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa, typically referred to as bulimia, is an eating disorder involving two specific disordered eating behaviors: binging and purging. 

People with bulimia typically engage in binge eating episodes, consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time. They may then “purge” the food by vomiting, taking laxatives, exercising, or fasting. People with bulimia may become very secretive about their food consumption and purging behaviors. 

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder differs slightly from the previously mentioned types of eating disorders. It’s usually not associated with concerns about weight gain or body shape, but instead, it can serve as a maladaptive coping mechanism for processing difficult feelings. 

People with binge eating disorder usually experience episodes of binge eating in which they sense they are “out of control,” but they do not usually engage in compensatory behaviors afterward. 

Physical health challenges associated with eating disorders

Eating disorders can be unique among mental health disorders in that they often lead to direct and noticeable physical health concerns. These health complications can vary based on the disorder, but they often exacerbate the mental health challenges associated with eating disorders, and this may become a vicious cycle. 

Physical complications linked to anorexia

  • Brittle hair and nails
  • Dry skin
  • Lanugo (hair growth all over the body)
  • Diminished immune response, leading to increased infection susceptibility
  • Loss of menstrual period
  • Osteoporosis
  • Cardiovascular concerns
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle loss
  • Overall body weakness
  • Organ failure (in severe cases)

Physical complications linked to bulimia

  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Tooth decay and other dental problems associated with prolonged exposure to stomach acid in vomit
  • Chronic sore throat
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Nausea even without induced vomiting
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Esophageal damage
  • Heart arrhythmia
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Physical complications linked to binge eating disorder

  • Metabolic issues
  • High blood pressure
  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Weight gain
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Physical discomfort

Mental health concerns linked to eating disorders

Eating disorders often co-occur and interact with other mental health conditions. Many people with eating disorders also meet the diagnostic criteria for one or more additional mental health conditions, such as those listed below.

  • Depression: The hopelessness, shame, and self-loathing associated with eating disorders can lead to or arise from depressive symptoms. 
  • Anxiety: Managing food intake and planning binges and purges can be stressful. Many people with eating disorders persistently worry about their weight and the perceptions of others, which can contribute to anxiety.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Disordered eating behaviors could be maladaptive coping responses to process intense emotions related to traumatic experiences, in which case it’s possible for PTSD to lead to disordered eating. An eating disorder can also lead to PTSD, particularly if disordered eating behavior leads to serious medical complications involving hospitalization and institutionalization.
  • Substance use disorders: People with eating disorders may use substances, particularly stimulants, to suppress their appetites, which can lead to addiction. Substances could also be used to process some of the challenging emotions related to eating disorders. 
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): OCD is often associated with anorexia in particular, as the obsessive nature of tracking one’s food intake can overlap with OCD symptoms. 

The social isolation and stigma of eating disorders

One challenge of eating disorders that may not be discussed as much as the physical and mental health complications is the impact the disorder can have on an individual’s personal relationships.

Disordered eating can be highly stigmatized, with society often believing that eating disorders stem from a shallow concern for one’s appearance. Some may also hold the belief that eating disorders are not serious illnesses

The stigma associated with eating disorders can lead people with these conditions to attempt to hide their eating behaviors from others, which may eventually lead to them refusing to eat with other people at all. Since many social engagements revolve around eating and food consumption, this shift can negatively impact a person’s social life. 

The resulting loneliness and isolation can then become a vicious cycle. The person may engage in more disordered eating behaviors to cope with loneliness, which can drive them even further away from the supportive relationships in their life. 

Barriers to eating disorder treatment and recovery

Many people with eating disorders may not realize the extent to which their behaviors have become maladaptive and unhealthy. This lack of insight could serve as a form of denial. Their behaviors may have become coping mechanisms that they do not want to address or give up, and they may also receive positive feedback for their weight loss in the case of anorexia or bulimia. 

Society tends to value thinness, and people who restrict their food consumption, diet frequently, and exercise often may be praised by others for their “discipline.” These compliments could lead people with eating disorders to become extremely resistant to changing their behavior or seeking help.

Additionally, societal stereotypes of eating disorder patients could make it more difficult for certain groups to access treatment and recovery services. While the majority of eating disorder patients tend to be female, men can also have difficulties with disordered eating, but their symptoms may not be as recognizable, and they may not be referred to treatment as often.   

According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, inaccurate stereotypes about the body size of eating disorder patients may also be a barrier to treatment. People with eating disorders can have any body shape, and you do not need to be underweight to experience the health problems associated with eating disorders. 

Mental health support for eating disorders

While eating disorders can be serious mental health conditions, they are also treatable. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be one of the most effective treatment options for eating disorders, as it typically addresses the negative thought patterns associated with disordered eating. Studies have indicated that people with eating disorders treated with cognitive behavioral therapy usually show a marked reduction in symptoms

Overcome the challenges of eating disorders in online therapy

Online therapy as a mental health treatment for eating disorders

The stigma associated with eating disorders can make it difficult for patients to seek treatment in person. Online therapy could be one way to bridge this treatment gap, although it may need to be combined with in-person medical care in some cases. Communicating with a therapist in an online format may provide a sense of distance, which could help patients feel more comfortable engaging with their treatment provider. 

Researchers have found that online therapy for eating disorder treatment may be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy. One study examined the efficacy of an online therapeutic intervention for bulimia and found that online therapy appeared to produce similar results to in-person treatment

Takeaway

Eating disorders are often associated with significant physical and mental health challenges, as well as complications in other areas of a person’s life, such as their personal relationships. Still, recovery is possible with professional help. Online therapy can be a helpful resource in addressing unhealthy thought processes and combating disordered eating habits.
Healing from eating disorders is possible
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