3 Questions to Clarify Your Relationship with Food

By on July 31, 2012 in Food & Nutrition, Healthy Living

photo: SteFou!

When people think of the damage that an eating disorder causes, they usually focus in on health concerns as a result of dramatic changes in body weight. Depending on the type of eating disorder, a gradual and continual increase in weight may be a key symptom or people may become unhealthy after rapid and dramatic weight loss. Additionally there are those that tend to go through periods of weight gain followed by rapid and very unhealthy weight loss.

While these physical issues are the visible symptoms of an eating disorder, there are profound ripples throughout an individual’s social, emotional and relationship areas of their life. Individuals that have eating disorders, which may include binge eating, anorexia, bulimia or other condition, have a higher risk of depression and related mental health disorders. In a study at the University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center ,it was found that 24% of people with bipolar disorder were also dealing with an eating disorder. Other research shows that individuals with anorexia nervosa are 50 times more likely to commit suicide than non-eating disordered individuals.

In fact, eating disorders, like any type of addiction, can have profound impact on your ability to interact with others. In my book, “The Law of Sobriety” I dedicate several chapters to the devastation that low self-esteem and ability to see the good in yourself can cause in your emotional life. This feeling of dissatisfaction with self can also be a major factor driving the addictive behavior of the eating disorder. To understand how an eating disorder, a food addiction, may be impacting your life consider the following:

  1. Have your thoughts about your body changed your feelings about yourself for the negative?
  2. When is the last time you looked at yourself in the mirror and felt satisfied with your weight and body image?
  3. Are you uncomfortable, embarrassed or even afraid to meet people because of what you perceive as their impression of you based on your weight?

Talking with a counselor that is familiar with food addictions and eating disorders is the first step in understanding how this issue is creating difficulties in many areas of your life. It is also the start of making meaningful changes and bringing positive energy back into your world.

Sherry Gaba LCSW, Psychotherapist, Life & Recovery Coach is featured Celebrity Rehab on VH1. Sherry is the author of “The Law of Sobriety” which uses the law of attraction to recover from any addiction. Please download your  free E books at  www.sherrygaba.com  Contact Sherry for webinars, teleseminars, coaching packages and speaking engagements. Listen to Sherry on “A Moment of Change with Sherry Gaba”on CBS Radio

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Sherry Gaba

About Sherry Gaba

Sherry Gaba, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist and life coach who has helped hundreds of people cope with lifelong addictions, including substance abuse, shopping, gambling, food, sex and love, co-dependency, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, single parenting and divorce. Sherry appeared on Celebrity Rehab 3, 4, and 5.   She also facilitated life coaching on their subsequent spin off Sober House and Celebrity Rehab’s Sex Addiction. During filming of the series, Sherry used her trademark sensitivity and compassion to help troubled cast members as they transitioned into their new sober lives with psychotherapy and life coaching tips.  Sherry most recently appeared on CNN Headline News as a guest expert, as well as Inside Edition, where she spoke about Mackenzie Phillip’s who was on Celebrity Rehab 3.  In addition, she appeared on KTLA Channel 5 as an expert on eating disorders and Fox San Diego News, Better TV, WPIX New York, CNN Prime News, Issues with Jane Velez Mitchell on HLN, Showbiz Tonight, and E!News discussing Celebrity Rehab and Teen Mom on MTV.  Sherry’s book, “The Law of Sobriety” from HCI Publications is about recovery from addictions and alcoholism and was published in September 2010.  Sherry has also been published in Cosmopolitan Magazine, Women’s World, Los Angeles Times Blog, New York Post, The Huffington Post, Hollywood Life, Elle On-line, E! On-line, and the New York Daily News.  She has also been a guest with Martha Stewart, Jay Thomas, and Judith Regan on Sirius XM Radio.  Sherry also blogs on Beliefnet.com, Counselor Magazine, and Renew Magazine.  In addition she just joined CBS Sky Radio and hosts “A Moment of Change,” a show on self discovery and positive transformation.  
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