Understanding Disordered Eating: What It Is and Why It Matters
Disordered eating is more common than most people realize—and it doesn’t always look like a clinical eating disorder.
Skipping meals, obsessing over calories, or engaging in “cleanses” is often treated like normal behavior. But when these patterns start to interfere with health, mood, or relationships — it’s time to pay close attention.
What Is Disordered Eating?
Disordered eating includes a wide range of unhealthy eating behaviors that don’t meet the criteria for a full-blown eating disorder, but still negatively impact a person’s physical and emotional well-being. These can include:
Chronic dieting or skipping meals
Feeling guilt or shame after eating
Obsession with food, calories, or body image
Unhealthy weight control behaviors like purging, excessive exercise, or laxative use
These habits are often normalized in our culture, especially among teens and young adults. But they can be harmful, even if someone appears to be functioning “normally.”
Key Warning Signs to Watch For
Whether you're recognizing these patterns in yourself or someone you care for, here are three important signs to be mindful of:
1. Emotional Attachment to Food
Food becomes more than fuel, it’s a source of control, comfort, or punishment. Feeling “bad” for eating or trying to “make up for it” later is a red flag.
2. Extreme Focus on Body Image
Constant body checking, fear of gaining weight, or letting the number on the scale determine your mood can signal an unhealthy relationship with food and self-worth.
3. Patterns of Restriction and Binging
Skipping meals all day only to overeat at night or bouncing between dieting and binging, can lead to physical consequences and emotional distress.
Small Shifts That Help
Healing starts with awareness and self-compassion. Here are a few supportive steps:
Practice regular eating, three meals and snacks if needed, even when you don’t feel hungry.
Unfollow social media accounts that promote unrealistic body standards.
Journal how certain foods or behaviors make you feel emotionally, not just physically.
Therapy Can Be a Game-Changer
You don’t need to have a diagnosis to ask for help. Working with a therapist can help you unpack the “why” behind harmful behaviors and build a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food and your body. Here at Herr-Era, we’re ready to listen and support you on your journey!
You are not alone, and you do not need to suffer silently; your well-being matters!
If you or someone you love is struggling with disordered eating, therapy can provide the tools and support to begin healing. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness, it’s a brave and powerful first step!