Eating Disorder in the Time of COVID: How to Get Help

Junk food — Photo by Caleb Oquendo from Pexels

The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed everyday life and put a strain on every aspect of life, including body image and mental health.

According to the National Eating Disorder Association, there has been a 40% increase in call volume related to mental health issues and eating disorders in 2020 compared to years past.

What are Eating Disorders?

The American Psychiatric Association describes eating disorders as severe disturbances in a person's eating behaviors and related emotions and thoughts.

More than 30% of Americans suffer from eating disorders, often women from ages 12-35, with roughly 70% not seeking treatment due to stigma. Anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and bulimia nervosa are the most prevalent eating disorders in society.

Anorexia Nervosa

Characterized by weight loss, difficulty maintaining healthy body weight, and often distorted body image, Anorexia nervosa frequently begins during adolescent years. Approximately 9% of American women suffer from anorexia in their lifetime.

Those who suffer from anorexia nervosa often restrict calorie intake and the type of food they eat. Some exercise compulsively, binge eat or purge via laxative or vomiting.

Bulimia Nervosa

Like most eating disorders, bulimia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by cycles of bingeing and compensating via vomiting to compensate for the effects of bingeing.

The overall prevalence of bulimia nervosa in American adults is at 0.3%, with women being five times more likely to be diagnosed than men.

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Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Commonly known as compulsive overeating or the consumption of abnormal amounts of food while feeling unable to stop or a loss of control. Despite BED occurring in women and men of normal weight, it can often lead to unwanted weight gain or obesity.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the prevalence of BED is two times higher in women than in men, with a rate of 1.2%.

Eating Disorders and the Pandemic

Clinical psychologist Erin Parks, Ph.D., tells Well+Good that there are numerous underlying reasons as to why people struggle with eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One reason is food insecurity; having uncertain access to food has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic mostly due to record high unemployment rates that have affected people's ability to afford healthy food.

Parks says, "When people are food insecure or living in food deserts, we see higher rates of eating disorders."

Increase stress due to pandemic-related changes also plays a key role in the rise of eating disorders, often becoming a coping method to stress and other forms of maladaptive behaviors.

How to Get Help for Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can become life-threatening, which is why it's important to seek help. Here are a few ways to seek help for eating disorders during the COVId-19 pandemic.