AN EATING DISORDER OVERVIEW
By Mandy Huffstettler, M.S. Registered Marriage and Family Intern, IMF

She slammed her bedroom door and sat angrily on her bed.  It’s hard enough dealing with her parents’ divorce, and now Mom was starting to date other men.  She felt so many overwhelming emotions- anger, sadness, anxiety- too many to name; and the worst part was she never felt more alone.  She didn’t know how to talk to her friends at school about her feelings.  “What’s the point?  They won’t understand what I’m going through,” she thought to herself.  And she couldn’t talk to her mother and father- Dad is depressed himself and Mom is too busy going out on dates.  She
felt so invisible.  “I’ll show them,” she thought.  “I’ll just stop eating.  Everything in my life is out of control, but my weight is the one thing I can control.”

What Are Eating Disorders?

• Anorexia is characterized by the “refusal to eat or gain weight”, but it is also described as having an intense fear of food and gaining weight.  Distortion in body image is also a characteristic of those struggling with anorexia; when they look at themselves in mirrors, they may see themselves as overweight.  On the contrary, persons with anorexia are typically underweight.  
• Bulimia is characterized by cycles of bingeing food within a specific time period, sometimes up to 10,000 calories in one binge, and then purging the food through self-induced vomiting, exercise, or laxatives. 
• Binge eating disorder or compulsive overeating is continuous bingeing without purging, with or without feeling any hunger prior to bingeing and usually eating beyond the point of fullness. 

While the types of eating disorders differ in their above descriptions, each one shares the trait of having an unhealthy obsession and intimate relationship with food- whether it is shown through extreme calorie-counting or bingeing.

It is often difficult to pinpoint root causes of eating disorders for every person; many factors may contribute to a person developing an eating disorder.  Sometimes the quest for perfection leads a person to starve themselves.  The pressure from family, friends or the media, or comments about weight from (sometimes) well-meaning people may drive a person to have an unhealthy focus on food. 

However, the thread which binds anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating is emotional aches and pains.  Sometimes individuals with anorexia have difficulties in verbalizing or expressing painful emotions, so the refusal to eat becomes a coping mechanism to deal with these emotions.  Those dealing with bulimia, binge eating or compulsive overeating may abuse food in order to numb themselves or bottle up their emotions. 

The emotional scarring of many individuals with eating disorders may be very intense; studies have shown that 80% or more of persons dealing with eating disorders may have been victims of some form of abuse - verbal, physical, sexual, mental or emotional.  Also, an eating disorder diagnosis rarely exists by itself; it is often accompanied by other disorders such as depression and anxiety. 

While they may serve as a distraction from these aches and pains, eating disorders are dangerous ways to cope with emotions.  Almost 20% of individuals with anorexia eventually die as a result of complications from the disorder.  Numerous health issues, such as heart problems and diabetes, are also the consequences of binge-purge cycles and overeating. 

So, what does Scripture say about eating disorders?  As with topics such as dating or domestic violence, the Bible doesn’t speak specifically about eating disorders.  But, the Bible does address body image and caring for our bodies. 

Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (NIV)

It’s been said that God “doesn’t make junk.”  Just as the majestic mountains, beautiful flowers and peaceful streams were formed by a creative Creator, we are also formed beautifully and with a purpose - to bring glory to God.  Treating our bodies as a purposeful, beautiful creation of God is honoring to Him. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought with a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.” (NIV)

When our bodies are fed appropriately, treated as God’s precious creation, and the strongholds of our heart are demolished, we are free to fully sacrifice ourselves to God and serve Him without distraction - as the Bible says in Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)
 
How does a person recover from an eating disorder?  Fortunately, it is possible to achieve restoration from an eating disorder.  However, the healing process is sometimes very long.  The best approach for treatment is a holistic approach, which means treating the whole person.  Learning healthy eating habits is not enough treatment for someone struggling with an eating disorder; a person must deal with emotional, mental, relational, spiritual and physical issues in order to completely heal from an eating disorder. 

There is Hope!

“I can’t live like this anymore!” she cried to herself.  She had starved herself for weeks, ignoring her hunger pangs and distracting herself by staring in the mirror at her newly emaciated form.  She was confronted by one of her friends, who watched her pick at her lunch every day at school.

“I know it must be hard to see your parents divorce,” her friend said.  “When my boyfriend broke up with me last year, I was going through a difficult time too.  And I decided to quit eating, just like you, because I thought my boyfriend and I wouldn’t have spilt if I were skinny and beautiful.  I became really sick!  But, my parents took me to see a therapist, and she helped me deal with these problems and everything I was going through. I’m doing better now!” 

Her friend stopped and looked her in the eyes. “Listen, you could die if you continue to live this way- and it’s scary!  I can’t lose my friend!  Maybe you should talk to someone about this.”  She knew her friend was right.  But, seeking help would mean admitting she had a problem, and worse, revealing her secret shame.  Her friend’s kind words echoed in her mind.  When she arrived home, she approached her mother.  “I think I need some counseling, Mom,” she said.  “I think I need help.”

Professional treatment may be the best option for those dealing with eating disorder issues.  Turning Point Counseling provides therapists who are equipped to help persons with eating disorders. 

Mandy is available to see clients in the Chino area. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Mandy, contact our call center and they will help you schedule that first appointment TODAY. (800) 998-6329   We have over 30 locations in southern California.  Please visit our website at www.turningpointcounseling.org/locations