Welcome back to our exploration into all things emotional. In this edition our Emotional Health columnist LEIGH SMITH explores the power of food and the some misconceptions about eating disorders.
THERE are lots of misconceptions about eating disorders and what causes them. They are rarely created by wanting to be thin, and often can have nothing to do with food. They’re caused by a complex combination of factors, including genetic, biochemical, psychological, cultural and environmental. People suffering from eating disorders use food and unhealthy behaviours like dieting, starving, bingeing and purging to cope with unpleasant and overwhelming emotions and stressful situations. In the short term, these behaviours are coping strategies and can relieve anxiety and stress. Long term, however, they actually increase anxiety and stress and can lead to other serious complications. Another common misconception is that eating disorders only effect young girls – not true, Eating disorders tend to be more common in certain age groups, but they can affect people of any age or gender. This subject is close to my heart, and an issue I have experienced first hand. Coming up to my 50th birthday felt like a milestone in my life and I found myself taking stock of my life choices. One thing I was sure of was I didn’t want to carry unwanted weight into my 50s. It was time to deal with it, all six stone of it. The question was how? I don’t believe in fad diets so before I figured out how to lose the weight I turned first (in true counsellor fashion) to how I had gained it, and what was underlying it. How had an intelligent, emotionally aware woman ended up in this situation? I knew I was not alone with this issue and in my profession I see a wide range of issues relating to food and eating, it’s a very common problem. A report commissioned by Beat in 2015 estimated more than 725,000 people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder. I looked deeper and realised how unconscious our relationship with food can be. We do not only eat to nourish ourselves, to satisfy hunger and stay fit and healthy. We can eat to fill an emotional need, to gain a sense of control or to avoid feeling psychological pain.
So why do we emotionally eat?
The cause of our dysfunctional relationship with food may be found in what part food and eating played in our early life. We may have been praised for ‘finishing it all up’, rewarded with sweet treats for being good, forced to eat things that made us nauseous, or denied food altogether if we ‘didn’t deserve it’? One of the most powerful ways a child can take control is at the dinner table, refusing to eat is sure to get the attention of the care givers. In addition to weight issues, disordered eating can also lead to some serious emotional health issues such as bulimia, anorexia, and binging. Issues with food can indicate a deeply rooted psychological issue often helped by seeking help from a psychotherapist or specialist in eating disorders. Exploring why I used food in such an unconscious way to provide emotional crutches, gave me awareness of what I really needed, and it wasn’t another slice of cake! I needed to address the problem at its core. To do this has taken me well over a year, lots of therapeutic support and group support. I am lucky enough to attend a wonderful Slimming World group in Ashburton where the consultant has a deep and personal understanding of the power of emotional eating. I have shed over 4 stone, and found out much more about my psychological needs along the way. But it hasn’t been easy, and one thing which makes dealing with disordered eating so hard to cope with is the guilt and the shame related to the eating. This can cause us to hide our difficulties from our loved ones. We take to hiding our eating habits and feeling disgusted with ourselves and unable to share this with anyone. Speaking to someone is important, and can be such a challenge. Sometimes talking to someone outside of the family, a doctor or specialist counsellor will be easier. If you feel you have an unhealthy relationship with food, or are concerned about a loved one, then it is time to take that step. An excellent UK charity called BEAT have a helpline for you to call (Adult Helpline: 0808 801 0677 Youthline: 0808 801 0711) and a website to visit: b-eat.co.uk.