Eating disorders can be dangerous and life-threatening if not understood and worked through. If you are struggling to understand whether or not you are experiencing an eating disorder, reach out to a mental health professional for support. Your therapist will help you to better understand your mental health issues and what exactly you are feeling and experiencing. As you begin that journey of better understanding and healing, here are a few different thoughts to consider as you start to explore whether or not you have an eating disorder.
Restricting Intake
There are many different types of eating disorders. One sign that you may need to seek support is if you find yourself restricting your intake of food. Do you monitor what you eat? Do you only allow yourself certain foods or a certain amount of foods? Try to stay in the moment and notice any restrictions you may be absentmindedly doing.
Food Rituals
Do you have any set rituals that you feel you must do before, during, or after eating? Sometimes having rituals can indicate that an eating disorder is present. You may not even realize you are performing a ritual surrounding food at times. Connect with people with whom you feel safe and talk about any eating struggles you are having. They will be able to help you stay in the moment and notice if you have any rituals surrounding food.
Extreme Concern With Body Size and Shape
How do you feel about your body? Do you constantly fixate on your weight or how your clothes fit? Many people struggle with self-acceptance and loving their bodies. This is something that your therapist can help you to better understand and find the root cause of. For some, this concern with body size and shape can become extreme and lead to an eating disorder.
Discomfort When Eating Around Others
Notice how you feel when you are eating around others. Are you uncomfortable? Self-conscious? Being mindful of how you feel will help you understand and work through your struggles.
Eating disorders are severe and dangerous. If you are struggling with an eating disorder or figuring out if you have an eating disorder, know that you are not alone. Try to analyze whether you are restricting your food intake or if you have any rituals surrounding food. You may also want to explore how you feel when you eat around other people. Here at The Guest House, we are ready to help you understand your feelings and develop the skills needed to reach your goals. Call us today to learn more about our treatment options at (855) 483-7800.