Eating Disorders

Eating Disorder or Diet?

The most common element surrounding ALL Eating Disorders is the inherent presence of a low self esteem.

Having an Eating Disorder is much more than just being on a diet. An Eating Disorder is an illness that permiates all aspects of each sufferer's life, is caused by a variety of emotional factors and influences, and has profound effects on the people suffering and their loved ones.

Dieting is about losing a little bit of weight in a healthy way.

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  Eating Disorders are about trying to make your whole life better through food and eating (or lack of).
  

Dieting is about doing something healthy for yourself.

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  Eating Disorders are about seeking approval and acceptance from everyone through negative attention.
  

Dieting is about losing a bit of weight and doing it healthfully.

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  Eating Disorders are about how life won't be good until a bit (or a lot) of weight is lost, and there's no concern for what kind of damage you do to yourself to get there.
  

Dieting is about losing some weight in a healthy way so how you feel on the outside will match how good you already feel on the inside.

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  Eating Disorders are about being convinced that your whole self-esteem is hinged on what you weigh and how you look.
  

Dieting is about attempting to control your weight a bit better.

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  Eating Disorders are about attempting to control your life and emotions through food/lack of food -- and are a huge neon sign saying "look how out of control I really feel"
  

Dieting is about losing some weight.

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  Eating Disorders are about everything going on in life -- stress, coping, pain, anger, acceptance, validation, confusion, fear -- cleverly (or not so cleverly) hidden behind phrases like "I'm just on a diet".