OCD and Eating Disorders
People like to say that OCD and eating disorders go together.
They even sometimes like to use fancy words like “co-ocurring.” Then they talk about how OCD can explain the development of ED symptoms and sit back triumphantly as if they’ve solved the world's toughest rubik’s cube. Satisfying, right?
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Meh, not really.. We’re setting the record straight and peeling back the layers on this so-called "connection" between eating disorders and OCD.
Let’s be real: there’s a lot of noise out there. People love to throw around these terms like they’re buzzwords for an Instagram post, and frankly, it’s getting old. So, instead of repeating the same tired lines, we’re actually going to dig into the why and how behind it all.
Spoiler alert: It’s way more complicated than just "Oh, OCD causes eating disorders."
In this episode, we’re talking about:
The misconception that eating disorders are “caused” by OCD.
The importance of looking at mental health conditions like eating disorders and OCD from a deeper perspective.
Eating disorders and OCD often co-occur because they share overlapping symptoms, such as anxiety and compulsive behaviors.
The obsessive-compulsive nature of eating disorders.
Not everyone with an eating disorder has OCD, but both conditions share a common foundation.
Exploring the “vibe” of someone’s eating disorder.
Personality traits and how they can contribute to the obsessive nature of eating disorders.
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy.
Labeling conditions like OCD and eating disorders can provide clarity, but it should not reduce the complexity of the experience or medicalize a personal struggle.
The key to supporting those with eating disorders and OCD.
Tweetable Quotes
"If something is making us anxious, we really need to think about what about this particular thing is making you anxious." - Rachelle Heinemann
"When we talk about eating disorders and OCD, there's so much overlap because the entire premise of most restrictive eating disorders that have to do with body image is, by nature, obsessive and compulsive." - Rachelle Heinemann
"One of the most important pieces that you can give somebody who's struggling with this particular experience or a version of this experience is some space to ask some questions." - Rachelle Heinemann
“Living in your head to the extent where you ruminate and obsess and are anxious 24/7, is incredibly distressing." - Rachelle Heinemann
"Ultimately, this is one big mess and it is an incredibly distressing mess." - Rachelle Heinemann
Resources
Bergen Mental Health Group Inc. is hiring! If you think you’d be a great fit, check it out!
Learn about our 6 week body image group! If you're interested, send an email to me (rachelle@rachelleheinemann.com), or you can book a call with Sydney to see if this would be a good fit!
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Related Episodes
Episode 162. Eating Disorders and Control
Episode 121. The Comparison Trap and Eating Disorders
Episode 113. Highly Sensitive People and Eating Disorders
Episode 62. Perfectionism and Disordered Eating with Colby Golder, RD
Episode 60. Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life with Jen Diaz
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Hey there! I’m Rachelle, the host of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with clients to make sense of life’s messy emotional experiences.
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