Eating disorders rarely stem from one cause. This piece explores the three psychological roots behind disordered eating — control, beauty standards, and self-punishment — plus the genetic, family, and trauma-related factors that often converge to shape them.

If you have been wondering, “Do I have an eating disorder?” you are not alone. Eating disorders do not always look obvious from the outside, and concerns around food, body image, exercise, or weight can be real and worthy of support at any body size.

Eating disorders don't always look like what we were taught to expect. Fewer than 6% of people with an eating disorder are medically underweight, and people in larger bodies are actually at higher risk, not lower. That alone should make us rethink a lot of our intake assessments. If we're only screening the clients who "look sick," we are missing almost everyone.