Eating Disorders Support Through Art Therapy
Common eating disorders:
Anorexia nervosa: Controlling weight by eating very little, exercising excessively, or both.
Bulimia: Eating large amounts of food and then taking drastic actions to avoid weight gain.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Eating large portions of food until feeling uncomfortably full.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED): Symptoms don't fit exactly into other categories but still cause issues. OSFED is the most common eating disorder.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Avoiding certain foods or eating very little, not due to body image concerns. Reasons may include negative feelings about food or past bad experiences with food.
Eating Disorders - Checking For The Warning Signs
If you or others are worried about your relationship with food, you might have an eating disorder. Symptoms include:
Worrying a lot about weight and body shape
Avoiding social events involving food
Eating very little or making yourself sick after eating
Exercising too much
Having strict food routines
Mood changes like being withdrawn, anxious, or depressed
Physical signs can include:
Feeling cold, tired, or dizzy
Poor circulation causing pain or numbness
Heart racing or fainting
Digestive issues like bloating or constipation
Unusual weight for your age and height
Missing periods or delayed puberty signs
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Eating Disorders - The Warning Signs in Others
It can be hard to spot eating disorders in others. Look for:
Dramatic weight loss
Lying about food intake or weight
Eating a lot quickly
Frequent bathroom visits after eating
Excessive exercise
Avoiding eating with others
Cutting food into small pieces or eating slowly
Wearing loose clothes to hide weight loss
How Art Therapy Helps with Eating Disorders
Eating disorders often involve complex relationships with control, body image, and emotions. Art therapy helps externalise these struggles, making them easier to explore and understand.
Creative work can reveal underlying feelings and beliefs that may not be immediately accessible through conversation.
Why It Works for Eating Disorders
Explores body image in a non-threatening way
Helps identify emotional triggers
Encourages self-compassion
Supports healthier coping mechanisms
What to Expect
Clients may create artwork reflecting their relationship with food, body image, or control. This process fosters insight and supports recovery.
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