6 Eating Habits That Are Actually Disordered Behaviors

 

Introduction

You might think of eating disorders as only affecting people who are dangerously underweight, but that's not always the case. Disordered eating behaviors come in all shapes and sizes, and some of them might be more subtle than you think.

In fact, many people don't even realize that they have an eating disorder until it's too late. If you're concerned that you or someone you know might be suffering from an eating disorder, it's important to be aware of the warning signs.

In this post, we'll take a look at 6 eating habits that are actually disordered behaviors. If any of these sound familiar to you, please seek professional help.

Orthorexia

Are you obsessively monitoring everything you eat? Are you avoiding entire food groups? Do you feel like you need to punish yourself if you eat something that's not on your "approved" list?

If so, you may be struggling with orthorexia. Orthorexia is a relatively new term, but it's been around for a while. It was first coined in the 1990s by Dr. Steven Bratman, and it refers to an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating.

People who suffer from orthorexia are so fixated on eating pure, healthy foods that they eventually end up restricting their diets to an unhealthy extent. This can lead to deficiencies in important nutrients, and it can also damage relationships and interfere with work or school.

If you think you may be struggling with orthorexia, please seek help from a professional. There is no shame in admitting that you need help, and treatment is available.

Anorexia

Anorexia is a serious eating disorder that causes people to obsess over their weight and food intake.

People with anorexia often have a distorted perception of their body, and see themselves as being overweight even when they're dangerously thin. They'll go to great lengths to avoid food and exercise excessively, which can lead to organ damage, infertility, and even death.

If you think you or someone you know might be suffering from anorexia, it's important to get help. Treatment usually includes therapy and medication, and early diagnosis is key to getting better.

Bulimia

Do you often feel like you can't stop eating? Or like you're not good enough if you don't overeat? If so, you may be struggling with bulimia.

Bulimia is characterized by episodes of binging—eating large quantities of food in a short period of time—followed by purging, which is either forcing yourself to vomit or abusing laxatives or diuretics.

It's a dangerous cycle because it can quickly lead to malnutrition and other health problems. And it's also incredibly isolating, because people who struggle with bulimia often feel ashamed and embarrassed about their behavior.

If this sounds familiar, please reach out for help. There is treatment available, and you can get better.

Binge Eating Disorder

Do any of these sound familiar?

1. You feel like you can't stop eating, even though you're not hungry.

2. You eat large amounts of food, even when you're not hungry.

3. You're so ashamed of your eating habits that you keep them hidden from others.

4. You often eat alone because you're embarrassed about how much you're eating.

5. You feel guilty and disgusted after eating, even if you only ate a small amount of food.

6. You've lost or gained weight as a result of your disordered eating habits, but you don't know how to fix the problem on your own.

If any of these sound like something you've been dealing with, please know that you're not alone. Binge Eating Disorder is a very real and very common problem, and it's one that can be overcome with the help of a professional therapist.

Night Eating Syndrome

You may not know this, but there are a few different eating disorders that you could be dealing with and not even realize it. For example, did you know that there's such a thing as Night Eating Syndrome?

People with Night Eating Syndrome usually eat a large dinner, and then feel the need to snack or eat again later in the night. This can disrupt their sleep and lead to weight gain.

If you think you may have Night Eating Syndrome, it's important to talk to your doctor about it. There are treatments available that can help you manage your symptoms and get your life back on track.

Emotional Eating

You might be surprised to know that emotional eating is one of the most common disordered behaviors when it comes to food.

In fact, for a lot of people, emotional eating is a way to deal with stress or difficult emotions. Maybe you eat when you're happy, or when you're sad. Maybe you use food as a way to punish yourself or celebrate a victory.

No matter what the reason, emotional eating can be harmful to your health and your weight. The key is to become aware of your triggers and find other ways to deal with stress or negative emotions.

If you think you might be struggling with emotional eating, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist. They can help you get on the right track and create a healthy eating plan that works for you.

Conclusion

If you're struggling with your relationship with food, it's important to seek professional help. There are a lot of resources out there that can help you on your journey to recovery.

In the meantime, here are six eating habits that are actually disordered behaviors:

1. Eating in secret or hiding food.

2. Feeling guilty or ashamed after eating.

3. Feeling like you have to eat everything on your plate.

4. Skipping meals or restricting certain foods.

5. Obsessing over calories or numbers on a scale.

6. Using food as a way to cope with emotions.

If you're struggling with any of these behaviors, know that you're not alone and there is help available. Recovery is possible, and you deserve to live a happy and healthy life.