Body Image & Eating Disorder

When you wake up, there's a mean inner voice in your head, bullying you about the way you look. One look in the mirror, and the criticism starts. The number on the scale determines what your day will be like, the clothes you wear, how you move, and what you eat. Therefore, each day’s goal is to please this inner bully who promises happiness when you can see a lower number on the scale. And you avoid relationships, so no one sees how you struggle.

You hate it. You feel terrified and ashamed. You've tried to stop letting food, the scale, or the mirror control you but your idol perfection just playback the memories from my childhood that has led you to this point. And suddenly, that gut-wrenching feeling of rejection surges through your body and flood your heart with pain. So consciously or unconsciously, you further commit to yourself not to stop until you're perfect.

You probably wonder if a life without the constant voice in your head ranting and worrying about food is possible.

The answer is yes!

Your struggles with eating disorders or negative body image are not your fault.

There are many different causes of eating disorders and body image issues. Each case has a unique origin story. But most cases represent an obsession with food and fat that acts as a coping strategy or a distraction. This happens to protect you from painful and overwhelming thoughts, feelings, and desires.  Counseling can help you explore the content of your thoughts and feelings. And it can help you uncover hidden assumptions, hurts, desires, and frustrations that have disconnected you from who you are and have contributed to your eating disorder.

Types of Eating Disorders

 

Anorexia Nervosa 

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by restrictive eating patterns and a refusal to maintain minimum body weight. Individuals struggling with anorexia restrict food intake. In other words, anorexia leads to individuals limiting what they eat. And they may use purging mechanisms such as vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, and extreme exercise to get rid of the calories they have eaten.  Anorexia is a severe medical condition and has the highest mortality rate of all mental health disorders.

Disordered Eating

Disordered Eating is characterized by engaging in abnormal eating behaviors and thought patterns. But it does not fit the criteria for one specific eating disorder. For instance, someone might experience a compulsion to overeat. Another example of disordered eating might be a food obsession or addiction. Disordered eating is often related to body image and self-esteem issues.

Binge Eating Disorder 

Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by binge eating a large amount of food in a short time and/or feeling out of control with food.

Bulimia Nervosa 

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by a cycle of binge eating large amounts of food in a short amount of time. These eating binges leave you feeling guilt and shame. It is also characterized by purging behaviors such as vomiting, exercise, laxatives, or extreme exercise to eliminate the calories.

Orthorexia Nervosa

Orthorexia Nervosa is characterized by an obsession with healthy foods and dieting. Therefore, an individual with this eating disorder takes care to only consume “healthy,” “pure,” or “clean” foods.

 

Whole-Person Approach to Eating Disorder Treatment and Body Image Counseling

At Therapy for Women Beverly Hills, we take a holistic and integrative approach to treating body image issues and eating disorders. This means we see the mind, body, soul, and spirit as being connected to wellness. And by default, uncomfortable feelings. We support clients who have issues with body image and disordered eating with therapy. We also address the underlying root causes, core beliefs, and destructive patterns that cause your struggle with food and how you perceive your body.

 Treatment Approaches:

  • Trauma-Focused- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

  • Shame Resilience

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Mindfulness

  • Self-Compassion

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Trained (EMDR)

 With permission, if it’s necessary, I may also talk to your dietitian and/or physician for comprehensive care.