When and How to Get Support for Disordered Eating

By: Marissa Silver, MS, RD, LDN

Over the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, research shows a notable increase in the prevalence and risk of eating disorders (EDs) and disordered eating (DE) concerns. The reasoning behind this is complicated and the research is still developing, but this change could be attributed to the rise in food insecurity, increased social media consumption, rise in anxiety levels, loss of connections and social support, etc.

As a team of Registered Dietitians, we want to raise awareness of eating disorders and disordered eating and help individuals and their loved ones recognize and address when thoughts and behaviors around food and one’s health turn problematic.

When should I get help?

First and foremost, please know you can address negative and harmful thoughts and behaviors around food, weight, appearance and physical activity at ANY TIME. When someone with an eating disorder or disordered eating is hesitant to get help, there is a common sentiment that they are not “sick enough” and that is why so many people do not get the help they need before experiencing short- and long-term physical and mental health consequences. If you walk away from this blog post with anything, it’s that you do not need to have a diagnosed eating disorder or feel physically unwell to get help from professionals. 

What is disordered eating?

Disordered eating can include:

• Frequent preoccupation with food, weight, appearance and physical activity
• Engaging in unhealthy behaviors to manage or change one’s body including constant dieting, cleanses, etc.

What you may think is just engaging in healthy behaviors for your well-being, can actually turn into thoughts and behaviors that hinder your physical and mental health. You may find yourself hyper-focused on these things which makes it harder to enjoy and spend time on other aspects of your life. This is disordered eating and if this resonates with you, this is a crucial time to get assistance to prevent more problematic eating disorder traits or other health problems.

When does disordered eating become an eating disorder?

Different eating disorders have different criteria to be diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders but you DO NOT have to wait until you meet criteria to seek support from professionals. Eating disorders often start with disordered eating behaviors but then they start to:

• Follow a more specific and frequent pattern
• Show signs of increased preoccupation
• Prevent typical daily activities
• Short- and long-term physical and mental health consequences such as:
  • Unusual and rapid changes in weight
  • Gastrointestinal concerns
  • Low energy levels
  • Low heart rate and blood pressure
  • Increased depression and anxiety

The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) has a helpful online screening tool that can help you feel more confident seeking assistance from a care team.

What caused my eating disorder/disordered eating thoughts?

We are still learning more and more every day about where and how ED/DE originate, but what we do know is that it’s often a mix of environmental, biological and psychological factors which can fuel them. Environmental triggers can include media messages and dialogue with friends, family and peers. Biological triggers can include genetic factors, neurochemistry and one’s temperament and psychological factors that play a role can include trauma, anxiety, depression and substance abuse.

Who should I contact if I suspect I have an eating disorder or signs of disordered eating?

This is a really important question and I would say, it depends on who you are first most comfortable addressing your concerns. It can start with sharing with a loved one and then contacting your primary care physician to set-up an appointment to discuss how to proceed. If you are actively working with a mental health professional or a Registered Dietitian, you can share what is happening and they can work with your current care team or help you form a care team to work on treatment. Oftentimes, a Registered Dietitian is the first person to notice signs of an ED or DE and can support you on next steps to get help.

You do not have to do this alone. If you are located in Massachusetts or Rhode Island and are looking for support for disordered eating, eating disorder(s) or want to improve your relationship with food and your body, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of Registered Dietitians at Karuna: Nutrition + Movement to support your journey.