The Intersection of Chronic Health and Disordered Eating
When chronic illness meets disordered eating, the challenges can be overwhelming and complex. It often feels like a cycle with no end—one issue affecting the other, leaving you feeling misunderstood, discouraged, and exhausted.
You don’t have to face this journey alone!
Here at Healing Roots Wellness Center, we understand the unique needs of individuals navigating both chronic health issues and disordered eating.
A Path Toward Healing
Managing Both Chronic Health Concerns and Disordered Eating
Living with both chronic health issues and disordered eating can mean navigating a unique set of challenges, including:
- Feelings of isolation and loneliness
- Residual health-related trauma from feeling misunderstood by health professionals
- Unresolved health issues that seem to persist despite your best efforts
- Brain fog and cognitive struggles
- Unpredictable energy levels
- Stress and fear surrounding potential symptom triggers
- Food related stress due to fear of symptoms resulting in conditions like ARFID (Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
There is hope! With the right support, you can find tools to manage these overlapping challenges, understand your body’s needs, and start building a healthier relationship with food and yourself.
Understanding ARFID and Chronic Health
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a lesser-known eating disorder, yet it significantly impacts those with chronic health issues. Many individuals with chronic conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal issues, or allergies, develop a heightened sensitivity to certain foods, leading to restricted eating patterns. This can perpetuate a cycle of nutrient deficiencies and exacerbate symptoms, which in turn makes chronic health management even more difficult.
We specialize in understanding how ARFID and similar restrictive eating concerns uniquely affect individuals with chronic health issues. We are here to help you address food fears, navigate necessary dietary adjustments alongside your dietitians and medical providers recommendations, and ensure that your approach to food supports your healing journey rather than hinders it.
The Mind-Body Connection in Healing
The connection between chronic health and disordered eating goes beyond food or illness alone. Stress, hormonal imbalances, and the body’s own nervous system responses can intensify both chronic symptoms and disordered eating behaviors. When the nervous system is in a state of dysregulation—often a result of prolonged illness or stress—it can affect appetite, mood, and even your ability to find joy in daily life.
At Healing Roots, we focus on helping you understand and manage the ways that your physical health impacts your mental health and vice versa. Our approach includes:
- Understanding the role of the nervous system in both physical and emotional health
- Learning strategies to regulate stress responses and foster resilience
- Exploring the complex interplay between chronic symptoms and disordered eating behaviors
- Providing tools to manage symptoms, reduce food anxiety, and nurture a healthier relationship with your body and food
Coordinating Care for Comprehensive Support
Chronic illness and disordered eating are deeply personal and multifaceted experiences. We know that addressing these issues often requires a comprehensive plan involving multiple areas of care. While we are dedicated to providing you with specialized therapeutic support, we also work collaboratively with other providers in your healthcare team, ensuring that you receive coordinated care for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
We offer support for individuals navigating conditions such as:
- Autoimmune diseases (e.g., Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, MCAS)
- Endocrine and metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes, PCOS)
- Neurological conditions (e.g., traumatic brain injuries)
- Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., IBS, Crohn’s disease, SIBO)
- Mental health conditions linked to disordered eating (e.g., anxiety, depression, ARFID)
Our goal is to create a holistic care plan that prioritizes both your physical and emotional well-being. By addressing the root causes of your struggles and not just the symptoms, we help you find lasting healing that doesn’t rely on quick fixes or temporary solutions.
Rediscovering Joy, Balance, and Peace
Healing from disordered eating and managing chronic health issues is a challenging process, often made harder by societal expectations and misinformation. At Healing Roots, you’ll gain the tools to rebuild your relationship with food, improve your quality of life, and redefine what it means to live well with a chronic condition.
Through our approach, you’ll learn to:
- Listen to your body and its needs
- Develop a sustainable, nourishing approach to food
- Reduce food anxiety and restrictive habits
- Build a supportive team of professionals who understand your journey
- Foster resilience, joy, and self-compassion in your daily life
Therapy or Coaching—Support Tailored to You
Whether you’re seeking the deep, transformative work that therapy entails or the day-to-day guidance and motivation that coaching can offer, we’re here to support you through this journey. Our goal is to help you find peace with your body and your life, no matter the unique challenges you face.
Take charge of your life and find peace with your body. Reach out today, and let’s take the next step toward healing together!
