Eating Disorders & Body Dysmorphia

Ashlyn LaClair, Grad Intern 

Eating disorders are complex psychological disorders with serious physical consequences. Some common symptoms are dietary restrictions, weight changes, negative body image, binging, purging (including excessive exercise), and excessive thoughts about food, weight, and/or body image. Eating disorders occur across a spectrum and one does not have to be classified as “underweight” to be suffering from a serious eating disorder. Despite common belief, eating disorders and body dysmorphia affect people of all genders, cultures, ages, and body shapes. And let’s face it: We live in a digital age, bombarded by images of unrealistic, unattainable beauty standards, as well as messages about toxic and unsustainable diets, which leads many to dissatisfaction and distress about their own body’s.

Eating disorders and body dysmorphia, though often fixated on food, weight, body image, and distress with one’s own physical shape, are often about so much more. If your thoughts and behaviors about food, weight, or body image are causing you distress, I encourage you to get curious about what more lies underneath that. Is it shame? Perfectionism? Low self-esteem? Need for control? History of abuse? Depression or anxiety? The list goes on. 

If you feel overwhelmed or distressed with thoughts about food, weight, or body image, or your thoughts and behaviors are affecting your daily functioning, it might be time to reach out to a professional. You can’t live a full life on an empty stomach. Recovery and freedom are possible and you are worthy of it. 

​And remember: You are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator Himself! (Psalm 139)