The Energy of Emotions

Eating disorders often serve the purpose of numbing us out, letting us escape from the pain and suffering of our daily lives. 

We feel sad, angry, hopeless, helpless, overwhelmed, etc --> 

we use eating disorder symptoms --> 

we feel numb. 

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. 

We think we're getting rid of the emotions. 

But the thing is, we're not. 

We're just pushing them down. 

Comorbidity

Many people who have eating disorders often have other mental health disorders.  I have seen statistics stating that 50-75% of people with EDs will struggle with depression at some point, and 2/3 of individuals with EDs struggle with anxiety of some type.  This contributes to the fact that eating disorders are complicated and truly unique.

It is important to gain a full understanding of each disorder, as well as the relationship between the various disorders specific to each person.  In some cases, the eating disorder is actually a symptom that is underlying a different primary psychological disorder.  In other instances, the eating disorder may be primary, with other mental health diagnoses secondary.  It is important to explore the relationship between the disorders, as this can help guide treatment and lead to more effective outcomes.