Scribblings of a Psychotherapist

Understanding Control .... and some little activities you can try for yourself By Alexandra O'Brien Control and the desire to be in control is often synonymous with eating disorders. Of course, that's not the case for everyone experiencing eating disorders/disordered eating. However, many find that having some control over something in their life - food and weight and body - helps them feel they have some more control over other things in their life that otherwise feel overwhelming, stressful, difficult to deal with or out-of-control.  Despite what many who don't really 'get' what eating disorders are, it's important to highlight that  eating disorders are rarely about about beauty, appearance or looking a certain way. In fact, they often have little to do with food, but lots to do with gaining control and finding a way of coping with life. Thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories and experiences are all controlled through one’s relationship with food