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Why is it so difficult to stop bad habits related to an eating disorder?

10 Answers
Last Updated: 12/30/2019 at 7:33am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Polly Letsch, LCSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

I provide non-judgmental, person-centered, objective therapeutic treatment for individuals of all ages to improve social, emotional, mental and other areas of functioning.

Top Rated Answers
EmbraceTheLove
December 30th, 2019 7:33am
It's not just about gaining/losing weight, It's about the mindset you're in. The mindset that you're in control, you choose what you want, that you want this, you can control it. This cloud of false control prevents you from breaking out of the fog that is your mind. It's not just a disorder, some people call it more like a disease, a deadly, terrifying disease. It's so much more than just, 'I need to be skinnier or other,' I've only just scratched the surface of it, but it's so difficult due to this disease, this cloud of fog blocking you from seeing the truth. And, with support from others, you can be the only that breaks free from this smog, be cured from this disease. But it takes time. So be patient.
bestTruth96
January 26th, 2015 6:55pm
It is hard to stop eating disorder behaviours, because they become you norm. Things you have to do to get by. Lies that your eating disorder has been telling you.
Anonymous
January 28th, 2015 6:20pm
It's difficult to break the habits of an eating disorder because food is inescapable, and for me, my eating disorder was one of the only ways I knew how to deal with stress. It gives you strong feeling of control, opposed to the overwhelming and unknown future.
Anonymous
April 27th, 2015 7:59am
Bad habits are really hard to stop because you make 'trails' in your brain. These 'trails' can be walked so often that they become well tread and difficult to stop. To get out of these bad habits, you have to abandon the trail that your brain automatically wants to walk and find a different path instead. It's amazingly hard, but it can be done.
hepburn
June 9th, 2015 8:43am
You become completely convinced that you need to be a certain weight or shape and these habits are built around a belief. In such a way, it forms a strong bond into how you think and into your subconsciousness. Trying to end the cycle becomes difficult when bad habits made up who you were since the onset of the disorder.
Greatlistener87
November 6th, 2015 7:39am
Habits die hard. Always good to start with a step by step tactic. Try replacing a good habit with the bad one.
Anonymous
March 7th, 2016 6:43am
It has become a habit and it has been giving your life meaning in the past, so it is hard to let go. You just have to remind yourself that greater things lie ahead which are worth the struggle. Good luck! I believe in you!
lovely15
October 18th, 2016 2:40am
Eating disorders creep up on us; they develop slowly over time until it's too late. Unlearning them is hard because eating disordered thoughts and behaviors began long ago for most of us. In some cases we've had the behavior longer than we've lived without it. Good luck in recovery! 💜💕
Andrew1137
February 28th, 2017 1:34am
Once you get into a pattern with something such as an eating disorder, it tends to be hard to break. This is due to mental processes and it is actually relating the chemicals in your brain. Eating disorders are however manageable. The best way to get help with one is to speak to a doctor or professional about it whether it be a psychologist, physician, or dietitian, they are trained to help with that type of issue.
Anonymous
December 24th, 2018 12:58am
Stopping bad habits when dealing with an eating disorder is hard because you keep convincing yourself that you need to keep these bad habits going because you are not good enough, pretty enough. You feel like you need to keep doing them to please yourself and everyone. Bad habits are called habits for a reason, it's like chewing your nails, and having a big problem to stop. You are so used to doing it that you do not know when it is time to stop. When your bad habits are related to an eating disorder, like not eating, or throwing up, it is hard to stop even more because you feel like you deserve what you are doing. But that's not the case, these bad habits need to be broken even if its hard. It is the same thing with self harm. I hope you are in a better place now, or soon. Good wishes.