Food and Body Challenges

Do you ever feel like your relationship with food or your body is complicated? You're not alone. According to the Eating Recovery Center appoximately 9% of the U.S. population struggles with how they eat and how they see themselves. It can feel like a constant battle, with thoughts about food and weight taking over your life; a battle that doesn’t come with vacation time. This isn't just about wanting to lose a few pounds; it's about a deeper struggle that affects your health and happiness.

At Encompass Mental Health, we understand that food and body issues (eating disorder behaviors, disordered eating patterns, body image challenges, or anything in between) can be overwhelming. We’re here to help wherever you land with these struggles. We want to provide a safe space where you can explore these challenges and find ways to feel better. This page will help you understand what these challenges are, what they look like, and how we can support you and your loved ones, in the path to finding peace with food and your body."

Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect how you eat and how you see your body. Although “eating” is the first word of the umbrella these diagnoses fall under, they're not just about food; they're often linked to a combination of deeper emotional issues, biological traits, and social/environmental factors. It’s important to note these struggles are not a choice someone chooses to have, but a fight someone finds themself having to fight due to the perfect storm listed above. Here are a few common eating disorders:

• Anorexia Nervosa: This involves severely limiting food intake, often leading to dangerously low body weight. People with anorexia may have an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image.
• Bulimia Nervosa: This involves cycles of binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short time) followed by purging (trying to get rid of the food through vomiting, excessive exercise, or using laxatives).
• Binge Eating Disorder (BED): This involves regularly eating large amounts of food in a short time, feeling out of control during the binge, and experiencing guilt or shame afterward. Unlike bulimia, BED doesn't involve purging.
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): This involves limiting the amount or types of food eaten, but not due to concerns about body shape or weight. It might be due to sensory sensitivities, fear of negative consequences (like choking, vomiting, pain after choking), or lack of interest in eating.

These disorders can cause serious physical and emotional problems. If you think you or someone you know might have an eating disorder, it's important to seek professional help.

Disordered Eating: Beyond Diagnoses

Sometimes, people struggle with their eating habits without meeting the full criteria for an eating disorder. This is called disordered eating. It can include:

• Frequent dieting or skipping meals.
• Obsessive calorie counting or food labeling.
• Feeling guilty or ashamed after eating certain foods.
• Using food to cope with emotions like stress or sadness.
• Having rigid rules about what and when to eat.
• Constantly comparing your body to others.

Disordered eating can still have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. It can lead to nutrient deficiencies, weight fluctuations, and increased anxiety or depression. Even if your struggles don't fit into a specific diagnosis, they're still valid, and you deserve support.

Signs You Might Need Help

It can be hard to know when your eating habits are becoming a problem. Here are some signs that you might need help:

• You're constantly thinking about food, weight, or body shape.
• Your eating habits are causing you distress or anxiety.
• You're avoiding social situations because of food or body concerns.
• You've noticed changes in your weight or eating patterns.
• You feel out of control around food.
• Your physical health is being affected, such as fatigue, dizziness, or changes in your menstrual cycle.
• You feel isolated or alone in your struggles.

If you recognize any of these signs, it's important to reach out for help. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

How Encompass Mental Health Can Help

At Encompass Mental Health, we offer a safe and supportive environment to address your food and body challenges. Our therapists are trained to help you:

• Understand the root causes: We'll work with you to explore the underlying emotional and psychological factors that contribute to your struggles.
• Develop healthy coping skills: We'll teach you strategies to manage difficult emotions and thoughts without resorting to unhealthy eating behaviors.
• Improve your body image: We'll help you challenge negative thoughts about your body and develop a more positive and accepting view of yourself, while also focusing on how to increase a sense of appreciation and safety in your body.
• Establish healthy eating habits: We'll work with you to create a balanced and sustainable approach to eating that honors health and wellbeing in all areas of life.
• Heal your relationship with food: We'll help you break free from restrictive or compulsive eating patterns and find joy in food again.
• Build Self-Esteem: We will help you build your sense of self-worth, independent of your body shape and size.

These challenges can isolate someone into a world that no longer feels like their own, which often reinforces the symptoms as an attempt to maintain the behaviors that act as a false sense of control in their world. We are here to help you regain a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.

We believe that everyone deserves to have a healthy and peaceful relationship with food and their body. We're committed to providing compassionate and effective care to help you achieve that goal.

Taking the First Steps

If you're struggling with food or body challenges, please know that you're not alone. Taking the first step towards healing can feel scary, but it's the most important step you can take. Contact Encompass Mental Health today to schedule an appointment. We're here to listen, support, and guide you on your journey to recovery. You deserve to feel good about yourself and your relationship with food and body. We can help.