Most people think of eating disorders as being about food. That’s understandable on the surface, but it misses something critical. The restricting, bingeing, purging, or obsessive calorie counting that characterizes these conditions is rarely about the food itself. For many individuals, disordered eating is a deeply ingrained way of managing emotions, relationships, and a sense of self that feels fragile or out of control. This distinction matters because it shapes what effective treatment actually looks like.… Read more