Having recovered from her own eating disorder before becoming a therapist, Rollin has agreed to share with readers what it’s like living with an eating disorder, and some things people can do to help someone they know who might be struggling with an eating disorder as well. 

Jennifer Rollin makes a point of mentioning that everyone’s struggle with eating disorders is unique, so in no way does her explanation encompass everyone’s experiences. 

Eating disorders are experienced differently by different people. Nevertheless, as someone who has recovered from an eating disorder herself, and who works exclusively with people with eating disorders, Rollin feels equipped to elaborate. 

“It feels like you are totally trapped.”

“You have this constant voice in your head criticizing you, for some a fear of weight gain, anxiety about different foods,” says Rollin. 

Jennifer Rollin says it depends how your symptoms manifest, and she’s seen various thought patterns with different clients. 

Reflecting on her own experience, Rollin remembers a time when her day was 80 percent consumed with thoughts about food and her body. At that time, she remembers her eating disorder taking up a ton of mental space. 

“I felt totally trapped that this was all I was thinking about most of the day, every day, and it was very exhausting.” 

Rollin recalls feeling out of control in her own life, and this is often what she sees with her patients as well. 

Eating disorders often come with comorbidities. That means there are other conditions that often manifest in patients who have eating disorders. Some of these conditions include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder and trauma. 

One of the comorbidities that Rollin often sees in patients are substance use disorders. 

In her practice, Jennifer Rollin takes into consideration the eating disorder itself as well as the comorbidities that accompany it. She says there are special considerations that need to be made when it comes to recovery for somebody who has one of those core comorbid mental illnesses. 

“When you have an eating disorder, the sicker you get, the smaller your world gets,” says Rollin. 

Jennifer Rollin says people often begin to isolate themselves when their eating disorder gets worse. They’re often anxious about being around food, and we socialize a lot around food in our culture. 

Other examples include avoiding public settings like the pool or the beach, which can be triggers for anxiety. 

“There’s a lot of isolation that comes alongside an eating disorder where you’re spending all of your time consumed with these thoughts and not investing in relationships. When you are in relationships, it’s hard to be fully present.” 

Living in the mind of someone with an eating disorder is never easy, and it often trickles into aspects of everyday life, affecting more than just relationships. 

“It can definitely impact work performance or school performance,” says Rollin. 

“I’ve seen people who’ve had to drop out of school because of their eating disorder.” 

Another big impact can be ion  health. 

Jennifer Rollin recommends that people with an eating disorder seek help from a professional. Therapy is a great way to begin unpacking your eating disorder and getting the support you need. 

She says it’s also important for the media to begin reporting on other types of eating disorders and outlining what it’s truly like living with an eating disorder – always bad and never in any way glamorous. 

Unfortunately, the media can sometimes glorify eating disorders, because many people subscribed to the ideal of the ‘thin body’, and this is harmful messaging that our generation is constantly exposed to. There is a fascination with showing people at their lowest weight, and it needs to stop. 

Finally, Rollin says we need to take a step back and look at ourselves. 

“Look at your own belief system and your own prejudices,” says Rollin. 

“I think that could be really helpful.” 

Media Contact
Company Name: The Eating Disorder Center
Contact Person: Jennifer Rollin
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Country: United States
Website: https://www.jenniferrollin.com/