Eating disorders can often mirror the addictive patterns seen in substance abuse, affecting the brain’s reward pathways and leading to repetitive, compulsive behaviours that feel difficult to control. For many, this cycle involves familiar stages: exposure to triggers, overwhelming thoughts and feelings, cravings for relief, and, ultimately, a sense of shame after engaging in the behaviour.
This loop reinforces itself, making it hard to break free.
Triggers can come from anywhere—a stressor, a memory, or even societal pressures around body image. These triggers activate intense thoughts and emotions, which then feed the cravings and urge to act on the behaviours, often as a way to find temporary relief or a sense of control. However, this relief is short-lived, as feelings of shame or guilt can soon follow, often intensifying the cycle.
By understanding these processes, we can start to see eating disorders with greater compassion. Recognising the complexity of these cycles can help us be more compassionate with ourselves and others, fostering an environment where recovery feels possible, one step at a time. Recovery often means learning new ways to respond to triggers and cravings and, over time, regaining control over one's life and well-being.
Comments