Talkspace
Talkspace
Talkspace
  • All
  • Starting Therapy
  • Psychiatry
  • Mental Health Tests
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Clinical Research
Try Talkspace
  • Mental Health
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Social Anxiety
    • Stress
    • Sleep & Insomnia
    • Personality Disorders
    • OCD
    • PTSD
    • Schizophrenia
    • Phobias
    • Eating Disorders
    • Loneliness
    • Domestic Violence & Abuse
    • Anger Issues
  • Life & Community
    • Work Life
    • Relationships
    • Marriage & Divorce
    • Dating
    • Family
    • Grief & Loss
    • Bullying
    • Addiction & Recovery
    • Parenting
    • Overcoming Trauma
    • LGBTQ+
    • Minority
    • Teens
  • Clinical Insight
    • Coronavirus Resources
    • Ask a Therapist
    • Online Therapy Benefits
    • Therapy
    • Psychiatry
    • Therapists & Counselors
    • Psychology Advancements
  • Wellness & Inspiration
    • Finding Motivation
    • Wellness
    • Mindfulness
    • Happiness Tips
    • Mental Health Stories
    • Resilience
    • Boosting Self-Esteem

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are characterized by an extreme and disruptive obsession with food, eating, and nutrition. Many sufferers of eating disorders also have body dysmorphia, or unrealistic body image. It doesn’t help that our culture presents such unattainable and unhealthy images of what a “perfect body” is supposed to look like — images that we internalize from childhood.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), 20 million women and 10 million men will battle an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. There is no single cause for an eating disorder: it’s usually a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. The most common eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa (Anorexia), Bulimia Nervosa (Bulimia), Binge-Eating Disorder, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, and Pica.

If left untreated, eating disorders can become serious. They can cause nutritional deficiencies; with severe anorexia, organ failure and heart attack is possible. In these cases, hospitalization may be necessary. Other treatment options include therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy are popular choices), nutritional counseling, and medication. Outpatient therapy at eating disorder treatment centers can be very helpful, and eating disorders support groups like Overeaters Anonymous are great options too.

woman eating an entire pie of pizza
Read More
Published on: 16 Jan 2021
  • 5 minute read

What Are the Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder?

Published on: 16 Jan 2021
  • Written byMarris Adikwu
  • Jan 16, 2021
The general idea of what a person with an eating disorder looks like has been largely influenced by…
Read More
Published on: 02 Nov 2020
  • 20 minute read

Intuitive Eating: Interview with Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch

Published on: 02 Nov 2020
  • Written byReina Gattuso
  • Nov 02, 2020
In 1993, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch were dietitians working next to each other in the same office.…
Taylor Swift Miss Americana Documentary
Read More
Published on: 25 Feb 2020
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • 4 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S

Speaking Out On Eating Disorders: Taylor Swift Propels the Conversation Forward

Published on: 25 Feb 2020
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • Written byJill E. Daino, LCSW-R
  • Feb 25, 2020
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
With the premiere of Miss Americana on Netflix, Taylor Swift has become a major contributor to the dialogue…
woman staring in mirror
Read More
Published on: 01 Aug 2019
  • 4 minute read

5 Surprising Areas of Life Affected by Body Dysmorphia

Published on: 01 Aug 2019
  • Written byMelissa Stanger
  • Aug 01, 2019
Though body positivity is getting a little bit more attention in the media, many people are still not…
man half under water holding camera
Read More
Published on: 19 Jun 2019
  • 4 minute read

Body Positivity is More Than Just Appearance

Published on: 19 Jun 2019
  • Written byRenee Avis
  • Jun 19, 2019
“It’s bathing suit season — time to lose that extra weight.” “Get the perfect beach body with this…
Friends jumping in the air
Read More
Published on: 25 Apr 2019
  • 4 minute read

What Every Teen Should Know About Body Image and Eating Disorders

Published on: 25 Apr 2019
  • Written byTamara Stevens
  • Apr 25, 2019
Few times in life feel more awkward in our own bodies than during our teen years. With all…
Spoon in a grapefruit
Read More
Published on: 26 Feb 2019
  • 5 minute read

How Therapy Helps With Eating Disorders

Published on: 26 Feb 2019
  • Written byBethany Biron
  • Feb 26, 2019
In middle school, one of my best friends stopped eating. Though she was a notoriously picky eater, suddenly…
A woman with her head on her knees covered in a black sheet
Read More
Published on: 25 Feb 2019
  • 4 minute read

Understanding Eating Disorders: From Control to Dysfunction

Published on: 25 Feb 2019
  • Written byTamara Stevens
  • Feb 25, 2019
February 25th starts National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, 30 million Americans…
A woman on a beach sits on the guard tower looking over the water
Read More
Published on: 02 Jul 2018
  • 6 minute read

Summer Body Anxiety is Real, Here’s How to Work Through It

Published on: 02 Jul 2018
  • Written byRenee Fabian
  • Jul 02, 2018
The summer brings many reasons to rejoice — warmer weather, vacations, road trips, barbecuing, and usually a little…
Plain bowl of lettuce
Read More
Published on: 07 Mar 2018
  • 4 minute read

Orthorexia: When Healthy Eating Gets Unhealthy

Published on: 07 Mar 2018
  • Written byTamara Stevens
  • Mar 07, 2018
Often, it feels like every time we turn around, there’s a new diet fad, exercise craze, or best-selling book…

Posts navigation

1 2 Next
Get online therapy support from the safety of your home.
 
Sign Up for a 10-day healing course from our therapists
Free Mental Health Tests
  • Depression Test
  • Anxiety Test
  • Social Anxiety Test
  • Bipolar Disorder Test
  • OCD Test
  • PTSD Test
Get the Talkspace App
Frequent Searches
  • therapy
  • online therapy
  • therapist
  • online counseling
  • couples therapy
  • am I depressed?
  • free online therapy
  • panic attack vs. anxiety attack
  • therapist near me
  • psychiatrist near me
  • how much does therapy cost
  • traumatic events
  • trauma bonding
Recent Articles
  • 6 Quotes About Anxiety & What We Can Learn From Them
  • Ask a Therapist: What Can I Do to Help Someone I Love Who Is Clearly Struggling With Their Mental Health?
  • Ask a Therapist: How Do I Know If I’m Depressed, or If I Should Take Anti-Depressants?
  • National Day of Unplugging: How to Limit Screen Time
Categories

Twitter

If you are in a life threatening situation – don’t use this site. Call +1 (800) 273-8255 or use these resources to get immediate help.

About

Provider? Join Us

Careers at Talkspace

FAQ

Blog

Press

Privacy Policy

Terms of Use

All Posts

Services

Online Therapy

Online Counseling

Couples Therapy

LGBTQ Community

Online Therapy for Veterans

Insomnia Therapy

Social Media Therapy

Unlimited Messaging Therapy

Talkspace for Business

Useful Links

Find a Therapist

Free Mental Health Tests

Depression Test

Anxiety Test

Customer Support

Talkspace Reviews

Lasting Couples Retreat

Gift Cards

Emergency Resources