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Eating Disorders’ Underlying Issues
Trauma, rage, depression, codependency and other issues may be at the root of most eating disorders.
Eating disorders aren’t about food. Instead, disordered eating is usually a symptom of something else. Issues like codependency, unexpressed rage, trauma, bi-polar or depression manifest themselves through a warped relationship with food. Those same issues can lead to the abusing of chemical substances or alcohol. As a result, food addictions share many traits in common with drug addiction.
Codependency isn’t a term most people readily associate with disordered eating, but it involves having an adversarial relationship to self and to the world and not being able to see themselves accurately, according to The Canyon’s Tara Sindler, a primary therapist and certified substance abuse counselor. While codependency can relate to sex or drugs, too, for some this their problem manifests itself through food.
Treatment for Eating Disorders
Where eating disorders differ from substance abuse is in the treatment process. While alcohol or drug treatment involves giving up the abusive substance, those with eating disorders need to continue to use their “drug of choice” to stay alive. The trick is, they need to learn to continue to use food in a healthy way.
Treatment for eating disorders is an in-depth process that is best handled by professionals, usually in an in-patient setting.
Eating Disorder Help
If you or someone you love is battling an eating disorder, call The Canyon at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.