The reason we’re so ashamed and embarrassed to share our own struggles is because we believe we’re alone in our experiences. To cope, we may repress emotions and mask vulnerabilities with humor, jokes, or even projecting insecurities onto others through passive-aggressive comments, judgment, or bullying.
Food and weight are particularly sensitive topics for women. From a young age, they’re bombarded with comments about their eating habits and body size from family, friends, peers, and even strangers. These constant judgments can have a significant impact on their self-esteem.”
The comments from the aunties at weddings are not just “harmless gibberish”, they leave those young women feeling “not enough” and “unworthy” no matter what they do with their body, what they eat, and regardless of how they look!
And it begins, the never-ending journey of “loosing weight”!
We asked “Natasha Al Qarieb” how upbringing and society would color women views on food and weight; resulting in one of the common eating disorders for many (anorexia, bulimia, or Binge Eating Disorder). She explained that each person reacts differently under the same factors depending on their self-talk and genes!
We also got some input from others who struggled with one or more eating disorders throughout their life. One said that her mother was obsessed with her body and watched her own weight like a hawk, and when the daughter grew older, she was also under the same duress about her own weight. The moment she lived alone with flatmates, she could finally let go and be her own person, so she started binging for years; which is when her BED began. Another lady said that the culture in their house was built on body shaming and emotional repression; they called her skinny all the time.
Some Types of Eating Disorders: A Breakdown
1) Anorexia Nervosa
- Characterized by: Restrictive eating, excessive exercise, and an intense fear of gaining weight.
- Recognition: Extreme weight loss, preoccupation with food and calories, and avoidance of social situations.
- Treatment: A multidisciplinary approach involving therapy, nutrition counseling, and medical supervision. “We are not medical professionals and cannot provide medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new medication or treatment.”
2) Bulimia Nervosa
- Characterized by: Binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise).
- Recognition: Fluctuations in weight, damaged teeth, and frequent trips to the bathroom after meals.
- Treatment: Therapy, nutrition counseling, and medication can help manage symptoms. “We are not medical professionals and cannot provide medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new medication or treatment.”
3) Binge Eating Disorder
- Characterized by: Frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food in a short period, often accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame.
- Recognition: Overeating, feeling out of control during eating episodes, and hiding food.
- Treatment: Therapy, medication, and support groups can be effective. “We are not medical professionals and cannot provide medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new medication or treatment.”
Many stories and many eating disorders exist. We only mentioned a few to help you recognize them in yourself and others around you; and maybe help others by guiding them into recognizing their unconscious eating behaviors and digging deep into their past to understand the root of their behavioral patterns.
You can also help so many people by just having the awareness and the understanding and spreading it around. Having empathy for people of all weights and fathoming the fact that they might be struggling just makes you a true gem!
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We happen to know a compassionate🌸independent professional who specializes in helping women overcome eating disorders, weight issues, and unhealthy relationships with food. You can find her website https://www.hypnotherapyme.com/opt-in . Hopefully, she’ll be able to assist you or someone you know in starting a journey toward a healthier relationship with food and weight, beginning with the subconscious mind.
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒You can follow our community to stay up to date on our discussions with more professionals to help you navigate your life living alone or with flatmates, here𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒:
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