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Disordered Eating and Anxiety May Be Linked

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Many people struggle with disordered eating, or a strained, unhealthy relationship with food. There are many social, emotional, and physiological reasons that explain our eating patterns, but too often we ignore the one that may be the most serious.

A lady with disordered eating
Photo Credit: sandiegotherapistcounselor.com

 Psychologists and psychiatrists treat eating disorders in much the same way as they treat Generalized and Social Anxiety Disorder.  It is commonly known that anorexia and bulimia stem from something other than a direct relationship with food.

Disordered eating is something we don’t often think of as being related with anxiety.  We often attribute it to lack of willpower, lack of control, or a disgusting character trait that makes us consume foods we aren’t necessarily proud of.

Disordered eating often comes in the form of binge eating, without purging as is characterized in bulimia. Generally, a person becomes disconnected with the eating process as is no longer attuned to his or her own body’s desire to stop eating. Binge eating is coupled with negative feelings and people will binge eat in order to fill emotional holes. The longer this process goes on, the greater the link between food and feeling more self-confident.

In order to challenge this disordered eating a person needs to change their relationship with food. Here are a few steps that a person can take:

  • Food does not make anxiety better – food may dull the feelings of anxiety, or distract us from it, but it does not eliminate the trigger for anxiety.
  • Challenge passive eating behaviors – have a very direct relationship with food. When you eat turn the TV off, put down the book or magazine. Eat with only the food and attune yourself to your body and what it is telling you.
  • Replace your behaviors – if you are starting to feel anxious, do not go to food. Take a walk, call a friend, or write in a journal. Do not use food as your coping mechanism.
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    • Wika
    • September 30, 2014
    Reply

    Another problem is that pepole have quick tempers. You thought you were obliged to reply back and indirectly it makes you like an intolerant person. Not everyone agrees with your / my / everyones ideas. Many Islamic scholars called unveiled woman 3ahirat and I read in the paper one scholar stated (boldly) that liberal woman are all not virgins and their parents should have them checked out.I do believe in being responsible for your actions. So, if I don’t want to pray (example) but I am a good guy who doesn’t steal / murder etc I will be judged for what I have done AND what I haven’t. We have free will, isn’t that what God gave us? We choose the path, as this is our God given gift. So as much as this matter pains you, it’s not your call. You can say allah ysem7ik and move on.

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