Is This An Eating Disorder or Disordered Eating?
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We hope you enjoyed the “From the Vault” episodes this summer. As we step into a new season, it feels like the perfect time to pause and reflect on our relationship with food and our bodies.
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Have you ever wondered where the line really is between disordered eating and a true eating disorder? It’s not always as clear as we’d like to think. In fact, so much of what we consider “normal” in diet culture—tracking every bite, stressing over body image, or skipping meals in the name of health—can feel harmless at first… until it slowly starts taking over more and more of your life.
In this episode, I’m breaking down what separates the two, how to recognize when things may be shifting into dangerous territory, and why the labels themselves matter less than the impact food and body image struggles are having on your daily life.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this just disordered eating, or is it something more?”, this conversation is for you.
In this episode, I’m talking about:
The difference between disordered eating and diagnosable eating disorders.
How eating behaviors exist on a continuum, from “healthy eating” to disordered eating to eating disorders.
The “invisible line” where disordered eating morphs into an eating disorder.
How disordered eating can feel like flexible “rules,” while an eating disorder feels like rigid “commands” that control you.
The iceberg metaphor.
How disordered eating might cause stress or annoyance, while an eating disorder can interfere with work, school, social life, and even leaving the house.
How both disordered eating and eating disorders often disguise themselves as “health” or “wellness” behaviors.
The emotional impact and how that can signal something more severe.
The physical consequences, from occasional tiredness to pervasive exhaustion and more serious health effects.
The importance of asking: “Does this bother me? Is this a problem for me?” as a way of recognizing when help is needed.
How our culture normalizes and even celebrates disordered eating, making it harder to recognize when there’s a problem.
Why labels matter less than the actual struggles someone is facing.
Why everyone deserves help.
Tweetable Quotes
“You don’t have to have a diagnosable or a life-threatening eating disorder in order to qualify to get help.” - Rachelle Heinemann
“Think of it like an iceberg. Disordered eating is the part you can see… but an eating disorder is the entire iceberg—this massive, dangerous thing that’s hidden.” - Rachelle Heinemann
“With disordered eating, the rules are upsetting if you can’t follow them. With an eating disorder, the rules feel like commands, and breaking them feels like a moral failure.” - Rachelle Heinemann
“To me, one of the most important pieces to keep an eye out for is how your relationship with food is impacting your life—your work, your friendships, even your ability to leave the house.” - Rachelle Heinemann
“No matter if you have a full-blown eating disorder or you struggle with yo-yo dieting, there is help out of it. You don’t have to wait.” - Rachelle Heinemann
Resources
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Related Episodes
Episode 01. What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders with Dina Cohen, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S
Episode 02. Understanding the Concept of Psychoanalysis with Meredith Glidden, LCAT, LP
Episode 68. The Neurobiology of Recovery with Dr. Jeffrey DeSarbo
Episode 69. High Functioning Eating Disorders
Episode 86. The Medical Complications of Eating Disorders with Dr. Risa Fridy
Episode 98. Body Stuff with Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, MD, CEDS-S
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Hey there! I’m Rachelle, the host of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with clients to make sense of life’s messy emotional experiences.
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