Eating Disorders

Helping you heal so you can free yourself and reclaim your power.

What are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are severe conditions which can impact a person’s relationship with food, and lead to unhealthy preoccupations with weight and body image. This can be dangerous and threatening in several ways.

Types of Eating Disorders

While there are several types of eating disorders, the most common ones include:

Anorexia Nervosa

People suffering from anorexia have a distorted perception of being overweight even if they are severely skinny. They constantly examine their weight and restrict food intake to avoid gaining extra weight. This is known as the restricted type of anorexia.

Another type of anorexia involves binge eating and purging. Here, a person consumes a large amount of food only to compensate for it by purging. Purging can occur in the form of:

  • Self-induced vomiting

  • Taking laxatives

  • Strict dieting

  • Exercising excessively 

Bulimia Nervosa

People suffering from bulimia experience episodes of bingeing and purging. They consume large amounts of food in a short time, often feeling unable to stop even when they’re full. This is followed by a fear of gaining weight and purging behaviours to compensate for overconsumption. 

Unlike those with anorexia, people suffering from bulimia maintain what we call a normal-looking weight. They might be slightly overweight, but don’t always experience the dramatic physical transformation that people with anorexia do.

Binge Eating Disorder

A person suffering from binge eating disorder experiences symptoms typical of bulimia or the bingeing type of anorexia, minus the purging. Here, people experience high levels of guilt and shame about their eating habits, and might even eat alone to avoid being seen.

Close up of woman holding a burger

Causes of Eating Disorders

While there’s no single defined cause of eating disorders, research suggests several factors that can contribute to the risk of developing them:

Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Most people suffering from eating disorders are in denial about their condition and don’t think they require help. This makes it even more important to be on the lookout for symptoms which can signal that a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder.

Behavioural symptoms of eating disorders

People suffering from eating disorders may exhibit the following behavioural symptoms:

  • Skipping meals

  • Excessive focus on healthy eating

  • Going on strict diets

  • Obsessively checking food calories

  • Excessive exercise

  • Frequently using the toilet between meals

  • Becoming socially withdrawn

  • Eating alone

  • Repeatedly checking weight

  • Frequently examining oneself in the mirror

Emotional symptoms of eating disorders

People suffering from eating disorders may exhibit the following emotional symptoms:

  • Expressing guilt or shame about eating habits

  • Constant fear of gaining weight

  • Extreme mood swings

  • Obsessive concern with body shape and appearance

Physical symptoms of eating disorders

People suffering from eating disorders may exhibit the following physical symptoms:

  • Drastic weight loss

  • Dizziness and fainting

  • Constipation

  • Feeling tired all the time

  • Feeling cold all the time

  • Missing menstrual periods

  • Callused knuckles (a sign of self-induced vomiting)

  • Thinning hair and nails

  • Gastrointestinal issues

Back shot of woman with eating disorder sitting alone in bed

Impact of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can severely impact a person’s social, physical, and psychological functioning. Sometimes this impact can be life-threatening.

Some of the impacts of eating disorders include:

  • Worsened physical health (damage to heart, digestive system, muscles, and bones)

  • Malnourishment 

  • Troubled relationships

  • Social isolation

  • Substance use

  • Depression and anxiety

  • Inability to function at school or work

  • Suicidal thoughts 

  • Death

If you or anyone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, it’s time to reach out for immediate help. We are here to support you.

Depressed woman sitting alone on her sofa in a dark room

Reach Out To Us

Located at 206 Ontario Street Stratford, we are local to Tavistock, New Hamburg, and the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Our clinicians also offer remote therapy across Ontario so that you can access the support you need - no matter where you are!

Our clinicians also offer remote therapy across Ontario so that you can access the support you need - no matter where you are!

To get started you can fill out a contact form, call (226) 215-4244, or book an appointment online with one of our counsellors by clicking below.

We’re looking forward to supporting you!