Anger as the Engine for an Eating Disorder

At the emotional root of many eating disorders is suppressed feelings, most commonly anger. For people taught at a young age that anger is not an acceptable emotion, food is an easily found, effective and socially acceptable way to manage emotion.

Indulging or overeating, secreting food or binging and restricting all help transform emotions into behaviors that either express feelings or numb them. As society continues to reinforce these behaviors as a viable alternative to acknowledging feelings, we collectively increase the likelihood of triggering eating disorders in those who are susceptible.

It’s also not a coincidence that most people who develop eating disorders are girls or women. As evidenced by the recent political events, anger in women is taboo in our culture. Women who express their anger are most often called names or vilified until they are able to control and channel their anger. The reality of human emotion is that no one can tamp down anger indefinitely without repercussions. 

Pushed into a corner where the reality is either express unacceptable anger or repress it, women often find themselves focusing on food behaviors or body shaming as a coping tool. The general pressure on women to eat and look a certain way only reinforces the behaviors as appropriate and meaningful. As I have written many times in this blog, the main risk factor for developing an eating disorder is food restriction or dieting, and using food behaviors to manage emotion is a first step to possibly developing an illness.

One hope I have behind the growing movement towards equality of women in the workplace and culture is the freedom for women to express their emotions, especially negative ones. Being trapped by their own feelings leaves women unable to embrace their full self. Subjugating their beliefs, thoughts and feelings for the meaningless obsessions with food and weight is a waste of time and energy. The goal is for girls and women is to be their true selves and not get lost in the inanity of an eating disorder.