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.

Anxiety and depression can affect your thoughts, body, relationships, and daily life. Learn the common signs and when it may be helpful to reach out for support.

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.

Most of the time, people don't suddenly wake up one morning and discover that they have become overwhelmed. There is usually a quieter progression. You stop sleeping quite as well. You start avoiding certain situations. You become more rigid around food, work, exercise, relationships, or routines. You notice that you're spending more and more mental energy managing something you haven't told anyone about. You tell yourself you're just stressed, that you'll feel better after this week, then after this project, then after things calm down.

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.