Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes and most people who struggle do not look a “certain way”. Many people with eating disorders also hesitate seeking treatment because acknowledging the issues they have with food means they actually have to make scary changes. This may sound confusing, but many struggling with an eating disorder have a love/hate relationship with the disorder as a whole. They may love the sense of control it provides, thrive on compliments they receive from others, and feel good about themselves when they are eating in a way they perceive to be “right.” However, they may hate the constant fear they feel, hate the isolation an eating disorder causes, and envy others who look thin but don’t obsess over food, exercise, or their bodies. Participants will learn more about the inner workings of an eating disorder as well as learn the many types of eating disorders ranging from Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, ARFID, orthorexia and how eating disorders overlap into a more common diagnosis called EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified).