U.S. Air Force illustration
February 25 through March 3 is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. This is part of a series of postings on the topic brought to you by SUNY Broome Counseling Services.
Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, interpersonal and social factors.
While eating disorders may begin with preoccupations with food and weight, they are most often about much more than food. People with eating disorders often use food and the control of food in an attempt to compensate for feelings and emotions that may otherwise seem overwhelming. For some, dieting, bingeing and purging may begin as a way to cope with painful emotions and to feel in control of one’s life, but ultimately, these behaviors will damage a person’s physical and emotional health, self–esteem and sense of competence and control. However, with appropriate treatment, people do recover from eating disorders and go on to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
