Eating Distress
Eating Distress
Complications with eating do not just apply to those with a diagnosed eating disorder, such as Anorexia Nervosa, or Bulimia Nervosa. There are many other ways in which you may be experiencing distress around food, weight and shape. There are also the diagnostic categories of Binge Eating Disorder (BED), a highly distressing condition associated with eating large quantities of food, and Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (ED-NOS). Statistics tell us that most eating disorders fall into the category of ED-NOS. What this means is that an individual does not meet the diagnostic criteria for Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa, but that they are displaying some of the symptoms.
It can be difficult to get NHS treatment if you have a diagnosis of ED-NOS, Binge Eating Disorder, or in fact, no diagnosis at all. However, you may be experiencing distress when you are eating, contemplating eating, or body image distress and distortion. You may find that your life is ruled by exercise, and that your self worth and functioning rely unduly upon exercise and attaining your exercise goals. You may be relying on compensatory behaviours such as purging by exercising or vomiting or though the use of laxatives.
A sure sign that you are suffering with eating distress is having the feeling that the control (or lack of control) around food, weight and shape is dominating your life.
It does not matter what gender you are, age you are, or what weight you are, eating distress can affect anybody, and does not only apply to those who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder.
At Nine Wellbeing, as the name suggests, there is a commitment to wellbeing. We understand that if you are experiencing eating distress it is highly likely that your wellbeing is suffering as a result. If you feel that these issues are impacting your life, please do contact us to find out more about how we can help.