Eating Disorder Recovery: Common Misconceptions & Our Unique Approach

There are two types of eating disorders someone can have: biochemical and physical or psychological. A biochemical, or physical, eating disorder is one that arises out of a change from the body first. For example, an elderly person can develop an eating disorder as a result of getting older and losing their sense of appetite. Someone who suffers with long-term Covid-19 affects, who has lost their sense of taste can also develop an eating disorder. These changes in food patterns stem from the physical first. But the majority of eating disorders stem from psychological issues.

When identifying an eating disorder, it is important to look at both physical and psychological signs. The changes may include significant fluctuations in weight, disturbances in menstrual cycles, gastrointestinal complaints, and dental issues, among others. Psychologically, individuals may exhibit an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, excessive preoccupation with food, and severe restriction of calorie intake, even when underweight. Behavioural signs are equally telling; they can range from the avoidance of social situations involving food, frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws, wearing baggy clothes to hide body shape, to episodes of binge eating followed by purging.

Our expert nutrition counsellor, Anna Middeldorf, explains: “An eating disorder is a symptom of another issue. It doesn’t have to do with the food itself; but rather with depression and anxiety, belief symptoms, trauma, and body image.” In any treatment, it is vital that the practitioner helps the patient to understand this. Middeldorf goes on: “It is extremely important to first distinguish the eating disorder: it could be anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or even orthorexia which hasn’t even made it into the manuals yet.” An eating disorder is a complex mental health condition that shows itself in severe changes, often related to one’s thoughts and emotions.