The Connection Between Trauma and Eating Disorders
Have you ever considered that there could be a connection between trauma and eating disorders? Research suggests that trauma, particularly in early childhood, can increase the risk the developing bulimia, anorexia, and binge-eating disorders.* This is useful information, not only in treating disordered eating, but also because it can help us to understand more about how trauma impacts a person’s development and healing process. This certainly doesn’t mean that every person who has experienced trauma will develop an eating disorder, and it’s no guarantee that every person with disordered eating has experienced trauma. What we have is data that indicates a link between trauma and eating disorders for a portion of people which means that these are risk factors to be aware of.
Every person processes and responds in different ways to life experiences, so if you’re curious about how you are reacting to something you have been through, consider talking to a professional who can help support you.
The Impact of Trauma
We know that traumatic experiences have the potential to lead to other mental health challenges.** This is particularly true for those facing trauma at an early age because the young brain is still growing and developing. When your sense of safety is seriously threatened, the body responds in ways to help you survive. For some, a traumatic experience (or series of experiences) can result in significant nervous system dysregulation and other symptoms such as anxiousness, depression, disrupted sleeping or eating patterns, intrusive thoughts, or flashbacks, to name just a few.
Surviving a trauma and its aftermath often looks like avoiding the triggers that return you to your horrific memory. Controlling your environment becomes a means of self-protection from future threats and emotional pain. While there are several ways to cope with symptoms of traumatization, some coping mechanisms come at a cost. Substance or alcohol use, social isolation, non-suicidal self-injury, or sexual promiscuity can become detrimental ways that people manage their unwanted feelings after trauma because they offer some temporary distraction and relief.
The Disconnection Response
Trauma survivors may report the feeling of being “outside their body,” during a traumatic event. Known as dissociation, this is the brain’s way of disengaging from the terrifying experience as a means to survive it. As you move on from the trauma, it is possible that this severe separation from any painful memories and feelings continues for a period of time afterward. Essentially, a part of yourself got “cut off” during the trauma. This phenomenon, while sparing you some unwanted immediate suffering, can contribute to a somewhat fragmented sense of self. In addition, this splitting off into fragments can lead to other “disconnection issues” such as eating disorders. *
This severing from the part of yourself that was traumatized can cause a similar disconnection-response from your body and its needs. You may experience changes in the way you perceive and experience your physical body. This is sometimes termed “disembodiment,” where you no longer feel at home in your body, allowed to take up space in the world, or allowed to be yourself. You may lose touch with body signals such as hunger, thirst, or pain. You may not notice changes in body weight or the state of your physical health. It can become difficult to advocate for your own needs or desires. Without a sense of familiarity in your body, the need for nourishment and care can feel uncomfortable or even threatening. The need to control something in life can result in a pattern of controlling your body shape or size through diet or exercise. Early trauma can also result in self-criticism and shame. Controlling food may become the only way to live with the internal judge.
Various systems of power such as racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, heterosexism, social media, wellness, and diet culture cause people to question the inherent goodness of your body. Food, therefore, is often used as a measurement of personal value (good behavior versus bad behavior). A trauma survivor navigating modern culture is at risk of using food and dieting to block out negative thoughts, escape trauma-related emotions, and reduce an overall awareness of their traumatic experience, not because they are “broken,” but because they are doing what they can to survive.
How are you feeling after reading this? Relieved? Angry? A little less alone, or a little more understood? This blog has been a brief overview of eating disorders and trauma. If you are looking for some more guidance or someone who really understands the toll eating disorders take, we have multiple therapists who can help. If you are a California resident, you can also get professional and specialized support to overcome your PTSD symptoms.
Interested in learning more about our unique approach to trauma therapy?
These blogs talk more about the basics of EMDR:
You can read more about Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy here:
References:
* Discovery Contributer. (2023). Trauma and eating disorders: The link explained. Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Treatment.
https://centerfordiscovery.com/blog/how-trauma-can-trigger-an-eating-disorder/
**Tagay, S., Schlottbohm, E., Reyes-Rodriguez, M. L., Repic, N., & Senf, W. (2013). Eating disorders, trauma, PTSD and psychosocial resources. Eating disorders, 22(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2014.857517