Part of learning about the research is to address what we observe. Right now, we are all witnessing how the global pandemic affects us. In addition, we are curious as to how those in our care and the eating disorder population at large are managing their way through COVID-19. Over the past few weeks, there have been several articles out there bringing light to how coronavirus might affect the ED community. Last week, we focused on tools and tactics that may be useful for those with disordered eating. This week, Refinery 29 posted an article profiling someone living in quarantine who also has Binge Eating Disorder. In another article in the Cornell Sun, the writer discusses how her experience with sheltering at home has erupted her body dysmoriphia. I am impressed with how many individuals in recovery are putting their stories out there to help others. To read the full article, click the link: https://time.com/5821381/eating-disorders-coronavirus/ and
https://cornellsun.com/2020/04/23/smith-the-quarantine-fifteen-body-image-and-disordered-eating-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/.
For those who are unfamiliar, BED - Binge Eating Disorder is a severe, life-threatening, and treatable eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort); a feeling of a loss of control during the binge; experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterwards; and not regularly using unhealthy compensatory measures (e.g., purging) to counter the binge eating. It is the most common eating disorder in the United States (NEDA.org, 2020). Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. About 3.5 percent of adult women and 2 percent of adult men have binge eating disorder. For men, binge eating disorder is most common in midlife, between the ages of 45 to 59 (NIH.gov, 2020).
Christina Greer shares her store so bravely in the write up. She explains how food throughout her life provided comfort. She speaks to how several people in her life have also come admitted to finding comfort in food, especially during this stressful time. The anxiety and stress from the COVID pandemic is something many of us have never experienced, and we are all seeking comfort and control where we can find it. It’s important to acknowledge, Coronavirus provides the perfect trigger for someone in recovery or fully recovered from BED. The virus leaves many of us in isolation, distanced from friends or family; unable to find solace in the things we do everyday. In addition many of us have access to support differently given the pandemic. Support groups going virtual, etc. It is incredibly impressive how resources and treatment have converted to virtual. However, this transition does take an adjustment.
Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health disorder in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can't be seen by others.
For Emma Smith, body dysmorphia makes her “perceive myself the equivalent of a room of funhouse mirrors. One day I feel cute and confident, another I feel so monstrous that I want to hide from everyone.” Mayo Clinic psychologist Lesile Sim reminds us that:
For people with eating disorders, and even those who have never struggled with disordered eating before, being isolated provides more time than ever to fixate on anything you feel stress about, including your ever-present body, which can frequently be translated to concerns overweight.
As noted, isolation can be a problem for those in recovery. Christina Greer, a PhD, speaks to her recovery from BED. She spent 34 years battle BED before going into recovery. To summarize, she brings up a few key points:
Food is constantly on the mind during COVID-19
Several new realities make obtaining food far from the norm. Food shopping is stressful these days. You may need to mask up in order to grocery shop or wait in line for long periods of time. You may not find foods that are on your “meal plan”. Christina states sometimes she thinks she's falsely hungry because she's nervous about having enough food. She admits to sometimes giving into behaviors - something we find incredibly brave.
Understand that your meals and snacks will flex during this time. The most important thing is to keep the mind and body nourished.
Check in with your hunger and fullness before you have a meal or snack. Take 5-10 seconds, “Am I hungry? Stressed?”. Try and sort through the true needs of your body in the moment.
Added stress from loved ones working on the frontline.
She speaks to her husband working in healthcare - which only adds to the existing stress level. Many of us have family, friends who work on the front line - making it even harder to feel at ease.
Now is the time to lean on a care team, family and friends for emotional support.
Identify 1-2 activities to turn to when you’re feeling the urge to engage in behaviors. Taking a walk, lighting a candle or working on an art project are some ways we can refocus our worries when feeling overwhelmed.
Acknowledging how eating behaviors serve emotional needs.
Christina goes on to share that although food was an abuse in many ways, she also acknowledges how her ED did protect her in some ways from many things she experienced growing up.
Everyone’s ED experience and journey is unique and individual.
It’s important to acknowledge each person’s story.
We hope you are all staying safe during this time. Integrated Eating has continued to provide those in our care with support as we settle into our new normal. We are all in this together.
References:
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/04/9664421/binge-eating-disorder-coronavirus-quarantine
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353938)