What is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is a clinical diagnosis, usually as per the DSM-5. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a publication by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) for “the classification of mental disorders using a common language and standard criteria.”

Eating disorders are mental health issues which impact people's thoughts, feelings and behaviours around eating. There's a complex mix of contributing causes and influences, which are biological, socio-cultural and psychological. Eating disorders are not all about the way a person looks or how they eat - the roots are often deeper and can involve trauma, difficult past experiences and relational struggles. 

The most commonly known eating disorders are:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder
• ARFID - Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
• OSFED - Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (for those who don't fit the other criteria)

You can read more about these different eating disorders, and others, on the BEAT website. 
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What is Disordered Eating?

"Disordered eating" is a term used to describe eating problems that may not fit the eating disorder categories, but still cause distress, anxiety or difficulties.

​The criteria for an eating disorder diagnosis can sometimes be limited, with many people not neatly fitting the tick boxes. In the UK, eating disorder services are often under-funded and under-resourced, and sadly people are turned away from NHS services. This can be harmful as it can exacerbate disordered eating, may leave them feeling unsupported and alone, and there can be a risk of other aspects of mental health deteriorating. This may especially be the case for people at higher weights as sometimes disordered eating can be overlooked due to assumptions and stigma about how an eating disorder should "look". This potentially will cause a lot more harm and only fuel the stigma, shame and eating behaviours. Weight stigma and fatphobia sadly play a part in the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders. You can read more of my views on this on my blog page.

The following list contains examples of what *may* be part of disordered eating, however it is a broad spectrum and is always within the context of the person as an individual. The difference between "normal" eating (if there even is such a thing), disordered eating and eating disorders, is to do with the severity, how often, how much, etc, but this is always to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

I do not diagnose people, that is usually done by a medical professional. I look beyond the label and diagnosis, though I respect that labels are very important for many people. The most important thing for me is that ANY kind of eating distress is really difficult and can have a really huge effect on people's lives.
​Everyone deserves help and support.

Examples of Disordered Eating

• Anything that causes distress – guilt, anxiety, fear
• Being preoccupied with food
• Rigid rules around food and eating
• Binge eating (which doesn’t fit the criteria for BED)
• Purging – including using laxatives & diuretics
• Focusing on numbers -  eg calorie counting, weighing food
• Using weight loss supplements, teas, diet pills etc
• Yo-yo dieting
• Restricting food groups (non-allergy related)
• Cleanses/fasting
• Being fearful of foods, only eating “safe” foods
• Over-exercising/compensatory exercise, exercising whilst injured or tired
• Using anabolic steroids
• Feelings of guilt/shame if unable to exercise
• Food avoidance due to sensory factors
• Avoiding eating around other people
• Regularly weighing yourself

There are likely more ways that disordered eating shows up, as it's different for everyone. It's important to seek help and support, even if you don't think the problem is as bad as other people's. 

I try to be as adaptable and collaborative as I can be when working with my clients. Everyone's story is so unique. I will never ask you to fill out a food diary, ask you for your weight (unless there might be a risk to you that would require us having that conversation) and I'll never judge you for your food choices or behaviours. There's already enough of that sort of stuff in the world!

If you're in a larger body, you may feel judged, shamed or unheard by professionals. As someone in a larger body myself, who also had a difficult relationship with food and my body, I hear you. Weight stigma and weight discrimination are tough to live through. I'm here to be a listening, non-judgemental ear for you, should that be what you need.

If you'd like to enquire about counselling sessions, or have any questions, please get in touch using the form below.