Eating Disorders Are Functional
Eating disorders serve a purpose.
They are functional.
They are not conditions acquired intentionally.
And when someone’s eating disorder begins, perhaps there are no other strategies for them to utilize. Perhaps engaging in eating disorder behavior is a means of survival. Perhaps following eating disorder rules is the only way for someone to make sense of an otherwise nonsensical experience.
I think it’s important to validate the function of an eating disorder.
The truth is, they work at doing a job. But they’re shapeshifters. I have yet to meet a person for whom the initial job of the eating disorder remained static throughout their experience.
A few exercises that I ask my clients to consider:
1. Write a thank-you note to your eating disorder. Thank it for doing a job. If you’re ready, end the letter inviting your ED to move on.
2. Make a list of ED functions at the start of your struggle. Compare it to the function of today’s ED. Make a list of skills, tools, that you have today that you didn’t have when your ED started. Use them!
3. Write out ED self and Healthy self dialogues. If your healthy self is quiet, write this as though you were offering support to a loved one. Do this anytime an ED thought shows up.
No matter how functional your eating disorder has been, know that you CAN function without it.
And life is better on the other side.
Recovery is worth every ounce of effort.
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