38 Te Good Life Health, fitness & specialist clinics


Promotional Content • Saturday 2nd April 2022


What causes someone to eat because of their emotions?


Are you using food for comfort when you’re feeling down or otherwise upset? Are you feeling low about your body?


F


inding comfort in food is common and it’s part of a practice called emotional


eating. People who emotionally eat reach for food several times a week or more to suppress and soothe negative feelings. Tey may even feel guilt or shame after eating this way, leading to a cycle of excess eating and associ- ated issues, such as weight gain. Tey may feel their self-esteem is tied to their appearance. Te causes could be anything from


work stress to financial worries, health issues, family problems, relationship struggles or coping with the pandemic. Tis is a common issue that can affect anyone at any age.


What’s the difference between disordered eating and an eating disorder? Disordered eating can include: • Limiting what we eat • Binge eating: eating a very large amount of food at once and feeling that your eating’s out of control, followed by guilt and shame


• Purging: making yourself sick, over exercising (and feeling guilty if you don’t), misusing laxatives, using steroids, detox teas, cleanses or fasting


Dr Omara Naseem says disordered eating often represents the early devel- opment of ED symptoms. Tese can be wrongly viewed as someone being ‘healthy’. However, it’s important to


Te rise in social media use, diet culture and fitness, and clean eating trends has led to a normalisation of disordered behaviours’


be able to identify a toxic relationship with food and know to seek help early, before things potentially get worse. When disordered eating starts


to interfere with daily life, this is an early warning sign of the devel- opment of an eating disorder. Disordered eating can lead to people withdrawing from situations, feeling distressed, preoccupied and finding it difficult to concentrate.


What’s an eating disorder? “Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses with the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder,” says Dr Naseem. Tey require expert help and are treatable. Early signs include increased preoccupations with thoughts of food, weight and shape, alongside changes in behav- iours and mood. Tere are four main categories of


eating disorders: • Anorexia nervosa • Bulimia nervosa • Binge eating disorder • Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)


Te rise in social media use, diet culture and fitness, and clean eating


MEET THE EXPERT:


Dr Omara Naseem is a respected and recognised senior counselling psychologist based in London, who specialises in eating disorders, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem and body image issues. She has a private clinic on prestigious Harley Street in London. Dr Naseem is a fully-accredited chartered psychologist and member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Dr Naseem, who features as a media expert in the field, including on the BBC


documentary Freddie Flintoff: Living with Bulimia, utilises several evidence-based therapeutic approaches in accordance with the NICE guidelines. She has a highly personable, empathic approach and individually tailors therapy to the needs of each client, which is discussed after the initial assessment.


trends has led to a normalisation of disordered behaviours. Tis has undoubtedly skewed how people view healthy eating and body image ideals. It’s important people know that ‘health’ looks different for everyone.


If you’re struggling with your rela-


tionship with food and your body, and want to feel more confident, do get in touch and make an appointment. You can start your healing journey with Dr Naseem.


E: appointments@omaranaseem.com omaranaseem.com Clinics are in Harley Street, Chelsea and East London


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