Beyond the Diagnosis: Unraveling Disordered Eating Patterns in Chronic Illness

Living with a chronic illness can be challenging, to say the least, and I know that I state this in every blog post but it is true. The daily struggles, pain, and uncertainty often impact various aspects of one’s life, including your relationship with food, and disordered eating patterns can develop as a response to the unique challenges that come with chronic illness. I have seen this in many social media groups and support circles. It happens more often than not that because we have a chronic illness we develop disordered eating patterns. This is a complex relationship and in this blog post, I hope to shed some light on the prevalence, potential causes and effects, and offer some practical strategies for finding balance and healing.

When I talk about disordered eating I am talking about a range of irregular eating habits and behaviors that may not necessarily meet the criteria for a clinical eating disorder (like anorexia or bulimia) but can still have significant physical and emotional consequences. These behaviors can include restrictive eating, binge eating, emotional eating, or obsessively focusing on certain food choices that are deemed “good” or “bad.” Oftentimes these behaviors center around wanting to lose weight but for those with chronic illnesses, these behaviors can also center around wanting to manage symptoms or “cure” the illness.

The link between chronic illness and disordered eating is intricate and multifaceted. As mentioned above, one potential cause for disordered eating patterns is to hopefully manage symptoms. Many chronic illnesses such as irritable bowel disease (IBD), diabetes, or autoimmune disorders, do require careful management of diet. The constant need to monitor food intake and restrict certain foods is enough to drive anyone bonkers and can lead to an unhealthy preoccupation with food and body image. Another potential cause is the side effects of medication. Some medications used to treat chronic illnesses can cause changes in appetite (increase or decrease), weight gain (not just the dreaded steroids but other medications too), or possibly weight loss (leading individuals to be worried that they are too thin). These side effects can trigger or exacerbate disordered eating behaviors. In addition, coping with the physical and emotional toll of chronic illnesses can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. In an attempt to regain a sense of control or comfort, we may turn to disordered eating patterns as a way to cope. Lastly, living with a chronic illness can be socially isolating. People may withdraw from social activities and relationships or friends and family may not be supportive, leading to loneliness and potentially more disordered eating habits as a way to cope with these feelings.

While there may be many different reasons for someone to engage in disordered eating patterns, it goes without saying that disordered eating can have adverse effects on chronic illnesses. For example, restrictive eating can lead to nutrient deficiencies, which may exacerbate symptoms or slow the healing process. For those with IBD, we already struggle with nutrient deficiencies just due to the nature of the disease so we do not need to add fuel to that fire. In fact, we need as many nutrients as we can get. The same goes for other types of illnesses. Disordered eating can also interfere with medication adherence making it harder to manage chronic illness effectively. Also, behaviors like binge eating or erratic eating habits can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels (which impacts how we feel both physically and mentally), digestive issues, and inflammation, all of which can worsen the symptoms of various chronic conditions.

If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating alongside a chronic illness it is essential to seek support and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Some strategies to get out of the disordered eating mindset can be to consult with a healthcare provider who understands both chronic illness and disordered eating. They can help create a personalized treatment plan to address both issues. This does mean you have to be honest with your healthcare treatment team. They cannot help you if they do not know and if they aren’t providing you with the support you need either find a new healthcare provider or add to your team to get you the support you need. One of those add on services to your healthcare team is to seek out therapy from a mental health professional. Therapy can be effective in treating disordered eating behaviors, especially when combined with specialized therapy for chronic illness management. Try to find a professional that specializes in at least one or both.

Another option for assistance is nutritional guidance. Consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist who specializes in chronic illnesses but be careful. There are many people who call themselves a nutritionist or nutritional coach but they don’t really know what they are doing or can only help the general population. Research their credentials and try to find someone who specializes in helping people with chronic illnesses. Even many registered dietitians and nutritionists do not understand the complexities of chronic conditions so try to find one that does. If you find one that you like and is supportive, they can help you to create a balanced meal plan that addresses your nutritional needs while also helping to promote a healthy relationship with food. The key words here are “balanced” and “healthy relationship”. Unfortunately, there are nutritional professionals that only promote one way of doing things and often that way leads you down a disordered bunny trail so please watch out and be careful. If you find someone who is doing that to you, run and find yourself someone else. Next, you may want to consider joining a support group for individuals with both chronic illnesses and disordered eating to help provide a sense of community and well-being. A word of caution here too though, sometimes those groups can be triggering and potentially full of false information so again, be careful and find ones that are supportive to you and your journey. And lastly, incorporate self-care practices such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga into your routine to manage stress and emotional triggers. Mindfulness can also help to create a more balanced approach to food through intuitive eating practices.

Living with a chronic illness is a journey filled with unique challenges and disordered eating can complicate this path. However, with the right support, guidance, and strategies, it is possible to find balance. Remember that you are not alone in this struggle, and seeking help is a crucial step towards improved physical and emotional well-being. Be well my friends!