10 Signs it Might Be Time to See a Therapist about your Relationship with Food

1 – Constantly thinking about food or weight:

It is not uncommon, or abnormal, to think about your weight, shape, size, or appearance from time to time. Generally, this happens to everyone who is raised in our image based, diet obsessed, culture.

However, when these thoughts begin to take up more space in your brain, and get so loud that you cannot focus on other responsibilities, or joys, in your life, there may be room to work. If they are tied up with feelings of shame, worthlessness, anxiety, guilt, or pride, seeing a therapist might be a good idea for you.

2- You feel taken over by “healthy versus unhealthy” or “good versus bad” foods.

Of course you have experienced and been taught through many channels that there are good foods and bad foods. Although I DO NOT AGREE with this language, I understand that it exists and that your brain may be holding on.

 If you are making food choices based on what is right, healthy, good, or socially acceptable in a moment instead of what you are wanting or your body is indicating it needs – then it might be time to reach out.

3- Engaging in continual talk about food, weight, diets, and exercise trends

I cannot tell you the last time I went to a social event and did not overhear someone talking about one of these things. It is going to happen, and you may from time to time, get pulled into the muck of these topics.

Some people can engage in these conversations, walk away, and forget they ever happened; some cannot. If you walk away feelings judged, less than, guilty, ashamed, embarrassed, or motivated to take on the next “fad diet” – REACH OUT.

4 – Worried and Fearful of eating around other people

 This goes hand-in-hand with the last point. If you are afraid other people are judging what you are eating, modifying your food choices based on other people’s food choices, or avoiding social settings altogether because there may be food – then you might want to contact a therapist.

5- Engaging in Body Checking, Body monitoring, or Body comparing

I know what you are thinking, YES, everyone does this at some point(s) in their life(ves). Knowing when this is a sign for more help is the key:

·      developing routine or rituals around body checking

·      changing your outfit over and over again because it doesn’t feel right

·      stopping at every reflective surface to make sure you “look” a certain way

·      adjusting your belief in your worth, or experiencing mood shifts based on the result of your checking / comparing

6- You have routines around food that give you anxiety or stress

Routines or Rituals are a common and time-consuming sign that you might benefit from therapy. Some of these might include: measuring food, weighing food, cooking in specific orders or with specific tools, fear of contamination that goes beyond valid, foods cannot touch or must be consumed in a certain order.

7- Mood Changes that are correlated to social interactions, environment changes, scale/weight changes, that directly impacts your appetite or intake

This is a heavy one (no pun intended). Everyone experiences moments of appetite changes based on their life events: example – eating the tub of ice cream after a break up. If you eat that tub of ice cream and then compensate with food changes, shaming, or exercise, you might need support.

If comments about your appearance, changes in other peoples appearances, or seasonal mood changes impact how much food you want to eat, or actually eat, REACH OUT.

8 -You’re calorie counting

 There is nothing inherently wrong with tracking your calories. Except when it leads to mood changes, diet changes, exercise changes, worthiness and thinking changes.

If you are counting calories, feeling obsessed or competitive with yourself about your calories, then you could benefit from therapy.

If you are eating less than your body needs, for whatever reason or justification, you could benefit from therapy.

9- You feel out of control with how much you are eating

This one doesn’t need as much explaining. If you feel like you are out of control of what you are eating (restricting or binging) reach out. You can have control, you can fuel your body, and you can have a healthier relationship with food and your body.

10- You are reading this article and already asking the question above.

 If you have read all the way down to this point, if you searched for an answer to this question, then you already know you don’t have the relationship with food that you wish you had. That alone is enough to ask for help. If you are unsatisfied with ANY relationship in your life (socially, romantically, food, body, self) you are justified to seek help and get closer to your ideal life worth living.