Our relationship with food is difficult to define since for each individual it can be different. This variety, along with the multitude of influences, such as diet culture, body shaming, and mental health stigmas, each makes it somewhat challenging to identify when a relationship becomes problematic. Disordered eating is also relatively common, leading to many symptoms going unnoticed due to their perceived normalisation.

Disordered eating manifests when a habit or an individual’s approach to food becomes harmful, either mentally or physically. It appears in a number of ways, with examples including, the skipping of meals, under or overeating and body image distress, often pertaining to social media and self-perception. Western culture has also, unfortunately, created an environment for these to prosper with diets, cleanses, and supplements not only being accessible but ubiquitous. One need only spend time online to see the types of bodies and foods that are perceived to be good and bad.

These issues, such as unhappiness with one’s body and the motivation to try fad diets, are generally perceived to be normal. This, in turn, leads many to believe that support is not needed. However, disordered eating, if left unchecked, has the potential to become an eating disorder, disrupting one’s mental and physical health to a much greater extent, causing severe harm, life-long disorders, and even death.

Types of eating disorders are more easily identified, with symptoms such as binge eating, purging, weight gain and loss, uncontrolled eating, and medical complications being among some of those most commonly occurring. Disorders are also classified. Bulimia and anorexia, for example, are well-known, with many organisations, such as BEAT, seeking to bring OSFED and ARFID to greater mainstream attention too.

Part of the issue for individuals is that it can be difficult to discern what is an unhealthy relationship to food, i.e. disordered eating. There are many options for support, such as disordered eating counselling at Bristol Counselling and Psychotherapy, but if someone struggling does not realise that their relationship with food has become, or has the potential to become, harmful, they may continue without essential help, worsening their symptoms and health.

Since disordered eating is pervasive and affects a wide range of individuals, it is important to be aware of potential identifying factors, or tipping point developments that might indicate a changing relationship with food. An example might include the uptake of diets. While not innately harmful, an affection toward diet trends can both be indicative of changing body image and go on to become an obsessive approach to eating and diets.

To make matters more complicated, there is little understanding of what exactly causes disordered eating and eating disorders. Stress, trauma, and genetics are all considered to be potential foundations but it can often be unclear to those suffering how or why they might be impacting diet. While many other factors are being explored, uncertainty remains, meaning that many are susceptible to a potential change in their diet, eating habits, and body image.

If you believe your relationship with food might be changing, especially for the worse, it is important to seek help. Assessments are available and can help to catch a potential issue before it becomes problematic or long-lasting.