'Never feel ashamed': how persons experiencing eating disorders are being affected by the pandemic

Liam Kelly was 13 when he developed an eating disorder. It all started after a school friend made a throwaway comment about how precisely his T-shirt looked “tight”. “There is no malice intended, but I took it very personally,” Kelly, now a teacher at Abu Dhabi’s Diyafah International School, tells The National.

“At this time I was very conscious about my image. I’m only 13 and I’m already starting to please other people before myself.”

That night, he went home and decided to go for a run. Instead, he threw up his dinner. Therefore began a 25-year journey to overcoming bulimia nervosa, a serious and potentially life-threatening disorder where sufferers tend to binge eat and purge.

It’s only been 2 yrs since Kelly, now 40, told someone else about his condition and started to truly recover.

Today, he feels healthy, happy and, thankfully, in a position to deal with the existing coronavirus pandemic and never have to worry about his condition. “My lifestyle is different and my own body is filled with nutrients that weren’t there before,” he says.

But, as somebody who understands the mentality behind bulimia, he worries for anybody who may be suffering from an eating disorder during these trying times.

Nadia Brooker, counselling psychologist and a expert in eating disorders at the Priory Wellbeing Centre in Dubai, shares Kelly’s fear.

“The existing Covid-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on our day to day lives,” she says. “There is indeed much uncertainty and change happening now that it could be really hard to keep track and manage our physical and emotional well-being.

"Subsequently, it’s likely we all have been experiencing numerous, difficult emotions, that may often cause changes in appetite that can eventually bring about disordered eating patterns.”

Brooker says changes to your daily routine - too little structure, increased isolation and any financial or relationship pressures, for example - can potentially make a person’s condition worse.

Over-eating, in particular, could become a concern. “Utilising food as a means to [cope] includes a strong physiological underpinning and for that reason it’s unsurprising that over-eating or compulsive eating has been used by many as a coping mechanism, instead of simply attending to hunger cues.”

Kelly, as a teacher, is particularly concerned for teenagers and teenagers. “Now children are staying at home more, they’re eating more, their eating habits are uncontrollable, they’re sleeping more and their sleeping patterns are out of control,” he says.

“We’re watching movies, we can have popcorn, ice cream and candy, and it’s those things that can accumulate. Parents have to be mindful of this balance. We don’t want our children to overindulge.”

Brooker agrees, adding that this sort of behaviour make a difference everyone. “During times of stress, our cortisol levels are elevated, that may can also increase our appetite.

As a result, our body will most likely crave feel-good foods such as for example chocolate, crisps, sweets and carbohydrate-rich items that are considered a treat but are highly calorific and frequently full of sugar.

"These kinds of foods provide energy bursts and encourage the production of serotonin and dopamine - the ‘happy chemicals’,” Brooker says.

This activates our brain's pleasure centre and can distract us from uncomfortable emotions we could possibly be feeling.

While Brooker says it’s unlikely that someone will develop an eating disorder based solely on the pandemic, the crisis may exacerbate disordered eating behaviours or preoccupations for those who may curently have a predisposition to a condition.

Individuals who already have a problem with over or under-eating could find these behaviours increasing, particularly as lockdown has seen numerous changes in daily life

Nadia Brooker

This applies to all eating disorders, including bulimia, binge-eating disorders and anorexia nervosa, which can often be characterised by food restriction and a solid concern with gaining weight.

“Individuals who already have a problem with over or under-eating could find these behaviours increasing, particularly as lockdown has seen numerous changes in day to day life,” she says.

Alternatively, she's also noted some advantages for folks seeking treatment at this time. “They could now be benefitting from increased family support and consistency, combined with the potential for reduced external triggers, such as for example eating in public areas, at school or managing meals by themselves, for example.”

How exactly to treat an eating disorder

The Priory Wellbeing Centre treats persons of a wide selection of backgrounds and ages, but there are a few trends in terms of those experiencing eating disorders, Brooker says.

“Generally speaking, those individuals experiencing anorexia nervosa seeking support at the clinic are largely children and adolescents, whereas with bulimia nervosa and bingeing disorder we visit a wider range in ages and genders.”

Although statistics show more women will be influenced by anorexia and bulimia, research suggests there’s equal prevalence among males and females for binge eating disorders. But it’s important that people don’t get hung up on the numbers. “Eating disorders can affect people of most genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weight and socio-economic statuses,” Brooker says.

Although Kelly didn’t seek professional treatment - he says once he found you to definitely confide in he felt in a position to recover by himself - he doesn’t necessarily advise this process to others.

“You have to consider when it started, why it started, why you’ve been hiding it. If you can’t get you to definitely help you find those answers, you must look for a therapist and get specialized help,” he says. “If you don’t answer those questions, it’s likely to control you again.”

Today, he manages his condition by planning his meals ahead and eating healthily. "I’m in control of my diet now because I’m happy inside myself," he says. "I'm happy with myself, my own body and I’m now not seeking people’s approval. That’s vital that you me."

Brooker strongly emphasises the need to tackle an eating disorder using evidence-based practice, to give sufferers the best potential for recovery. “Unfortunately, eating disorders tend to be misunderstood or misdiagnosed. Thus, seeking help from professionals is vital,” she says.

There are several myths about these conditions that may are likely involved in perpetuating any underlying issues, she says. For example, that eating disorders are a choice and so are about appearance and beauty. “This, however, is false in fact it is important to be aware that eating disorders are serious, brain-based biological illnesses.”

Knowing this can help families and professionals identify and treat sufferers better and better, she says.

Do you or someone you care about have an eating disorder?

So how do you recognise you are or someone you like is struggling? “It usually is extremely difficult to determine whether a pal, relative or colleague is suffering from an eating disorder, as the signs or symptoms can manifest differently in various people,” Brooker explains. “Men specifically are also apt to be far more reluctant to speak about their symptoms or admit they have a problem, considering that eating disorders tend to be regarded as a ‘female issue’.”

Being in such close proximity while residing at home may allow concerned members of the family and friends to note more evident symptoms, however.

I’ve been through it, but I’m one of the lucky kinds ... I’m extremely fortunate that I could turn out the other end and share my story

Liam Kelly

Brooker says there are a few tell-tale signs to consider. This consists of an obsession or preoccupation with food; a loss of control with diet plan; an obsession with appearance and other people’s perception of the body; fluctuations in weight; a desire to consume alone or in secret; becoming distressed during mealtimes; low self-esteem; and increased shame, guilt, anxiety or depression.

Early intervention is key, so that it is vital that you stay aware of those around you and remember that “dismissing the idea an eating disorder isn't there or ‘not extreme enough’ creates an enormous barrier”, Brooker says.