Eating Disorders
We all vary in the foods we like, how much we eat and when we like to eat. It is not unusual to experiment with different eating habits, for example you may have decided to become a vegetarian or tried to change your diet to improve your health. However, some eating patterns can cause damage.
Problems with food can begin when it is used to cope with those times when you are bored, anxious, angry, lonely, ashamed or sad. Food becomes a problem, perhaps without you even realising it, when it is used to help you to cope with painful situations or feelings, or to relieve stress. If this is how you deal with emotions and feelings and you are unhappy about it, then you should try to talk to someone you trust. Try not to bottle things up - this is not helpful to you or people around you. It won't make you feel any better and the problem is unlikely to go away.
It is unlikely that an eating disorder will result from a single cause. It is much more likely to be a combination of many factors, events, feelings or pressures which lead you to feeling unable to cope. These factors can include:
- low self-esteem
- family relationships
- problems with friends
- the death of someone special
- problems at University
- lack of confidence
- sexual or emotional abuse.
Many people talk about simply feeling 'too fat' or 'not good enough'. Often people with an eating disorder say that the eating disorder is the only way they feel they can stay in control of their life. But as time goes on, it isn't really you who is in control - it is the eating disorder. Some people also find they are affected by an urge to harm themselves or misuse alcohol or drugs. You may find that, in common with many other people, you experience feelings of despair and shame. You may feel like a failure or feel a lack of control because you cannot, on your own, overcome these feelings about food.
If you want more information about eating disorders, there is a leaflet from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and more on the beating eating disorders website.
Your GP may be able to offer support.If you would like to speak to someone get in touch with Student Services where our professional staff will listen non-judgementally and offer help and advice if needed. All enquiries to Student Services are treated confidentially.
The following e-books may be useful:--
Demystifying anorexia nervosa : an optimistic guide to undertsanding and healing
Healing the hurt within : understand sef-injury and self harm,and heal the emotional wounds
How to be your own therapist : a step-by-step guide and self-harm, and heal the emotional wounds
Overcoming body image disturbance : a programme for people with eating disorders