References:
What is Disordered Eating?
- A set of behaviours, thoughts, and emotions about food and body image
- It does not fit with the definition of eating disorders
What are the Forms of Disordered Eating?
- Fasting: not eating for long periods of time
- Restrictive dieting: severe limitations on how much you eat
- Purging: abusing laxatives or vomiting
- Over-exercising
- Abusing steroids
- Repeated cycles of extreme dieting then followed by weight gain
- Thinking you must have a certain body type to be valuable
- Labelling foods as good or bad
- Anxiety surrounding meal times
- Eating alone or secretly
What Can Lead to Disordered Eating?
- Unrealistic body standards in the media
- Individuals with depression, anxiety, and those who are recovering from trauma
How Can I Hel My Child with Disordered Eating?
- Be compassionate and encourage your child to be who they are
- Be a role model by consuming a variety of foods that you enjoy, and exercising for fun not simply to burn calories and lose weight
- Develop an environment where your child knows they can express their feelings and opinions
- Show your child you value them regardless of how they look, what their hobbies are, what grades they get, etc.
- Help your children develop critical thinking skills so they can challenge the social norm
- Avoid making comments about the way others look
- If your child shows signs of disordered eating, get help before it progresses to an eating disorder
How Can I Help My Child Cope with Disordered Eating?
- Help them to recognize disordered eating and how it affects their life
- Help them to develop coping strategies to manage the disordered eating
- Help them to understand what events or stressors contribute to the disordered eating
- Aid them in identifying the warning signs they may be experiencing disordered eating
- Encourage them to make a list of their personal and professional supports for when they need additional support
Coping Skills for Disordered Eating:
- Try to put a name to your emotions
- Attempt to be more accepting of yourself and reflect on the abilities your body has rather than how it looks
- Learn to practice mindfulness
- Distract yourself by doing the things you enjoy such as drawing, dancing, watching TV, reading, playing a game, etc.
- Spend time with the people you care about
- Try to use positive affirmations
- Take a social media break
- Practice breathing exercises
- Write a journal about your thoughts
Further Your Knowledge:
Shareable Resources For Clients: