Disordered Eating
Understanding, Coping, and Seeking Support
Disordered Eating:
You Don’t Have to Face It Alone
Disordered eating includes a range of unhealthy habits around food. It might mean dieting too much, overeating, or feeling stressed about food and your body. These habits can develop as a way to cope with emotions or life pressures. And while they’re more common than you think, help is available.
Common Signs of Disordered Eating
Always thinking about food: Constantly worrying about calories, meals, or dieting.
Irregular eating patterns: Skipping meals or eating based on emotions instead of hunger.
Overeating: Feeling out of control when eating, even when you’re not hungry.
Guilt after eating: Feeling ashamed, especially after eating foods you think are "bad."
Distorted body image: Seeing your body unrealistically and trying unhealthy ways to change it.
The negative impact of unmanaged insomnia extends beyond just feeling tired. Chronic insomnia can lead to decreased productivity, strained relationships, and an overall diminished quality of life. Over time, it can also contribute to serious health issues, including a weakened immune system, cardiovascular problems, and an increased risk of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
The Impact on Your Health
Disordered eating affects your body and mind. It can lead to health issues like weak bones, heart disease, and stomach problems. It can also impact your mental health, causing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Relationships and your overall happiness can suffer when food and appearance take over your thoughts.
You don’t have to let disordered eating control your life. There’s support to help you build a healthier relationship with food and your body.
Therapy for Disordered Eating: Find Your Path to Healing
Struggling with disordered eating? Therapy offers a safe and effective way for you to understand and manage these challenges. Whether you’re dealing with overeating, dieting, or negative thoughts about your body, therapy can help you break free from unhealthy habits and develop a better relationship with food.
How Therapy Can Help You Overcome Disordered Eating
Therapy is designed to help you explore the reasons behind your eating habits and teach you healthier coping strategies. Here’s how therapy can support your journey:
Identify Your Triggers: You’ll learn to recognize the emotions, situations, or thoughts that lead to unhealthy eating behaviors.
Challenge Negative Thoughts: Therapy helps you work through harmful beliefs about food, your body, and self-worth.
Learn Healthy Coping Skills: Discover new ways to manage stress and emotions without turning to food or restrictive behaviors.
Improve Your Body Image: Therapy can guide you towards building a more positive and realistic view of your body.
Create a Healthy Relationship with Food: Learn to listen to your body’s natural hunger and fullness cues, without the pressure of strict diet rules.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Disordered Eating
One of the most effective treatments for disordered eating is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps you identify and change harmful thoughts and behaviors related to food and body image. Other approaches like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) also support emotional regulation and self-acceptance.
Don’t Let Fear Stop You From Getting Help
You may feel like your struggles aren’t “serious enough” or worry about being judged. But disordered eating can affect your physical and mental well-being. Therapy isn’t about labels—it’s about finding tools to live a healthier, happier life. Your therapist will provide a judgment-free space where you can explore your relationship with food and your body at your own pace.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Did you know that over 7.8 million Canadians or 1 in 5 Canadians will face a mental health
challenge this year? Research shows that by the age of 40, half of us—more than 19 million
people—will have experienced a mental illness. Mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, or stress can impact anyone—regardless of age, background, or income.
Consider these numbers:
• 2 million Canadians experience major depression annually.
• 1.7 million Canadians live with anxiety disorders.
• 375,000 Canadians are affected by bipolar disorder.
• Eating disorders impact approximately 1 million Canadians and have the highest
mortality rate among mental illnesses.
• Substance use disorders affect over 2.3 million Canadians
If you’re dealing with disordered eating, therapy can guide you toward balance and a healthier mindset. You don’t have to go through it alone. Reach out today and take the first step toward a better relationship with food and yourself.
