How Is Perfectionism Related to Disordered Eating?

There's nothing wrong with wanting to do your best, as long as you're able to be realistic. There can be a fine line between wanting to do your best and taking it too far or to an extreme level.

Pushing yourself to extreme limits is sometimes a symptom of perfectionism. Striving to be perfect is an impossible task for anyone, and it isn't something you can reasonably ask of yourself. There's no such thing as perfect, and you will constantly fall short of the strict expectations you set for yourself.

This way of thinking can lead to other issues in life, such as the development of an eating disorder. Let's learn more about how perfectionism is related to disordered eating.

All-or-Nothing Thinking

Perfectionism can cause individuals to frame things as all-or-nothing or black-and-white. When applied to diet, this type of thinking can lead to overly stringent rules about what foods to eat. Some might categorize certain foods as being okay to eat and others as not being okay to eat.

When taken too far, this approach to eating can lead to health problems and be extremely difficult to maintain in the long term. When a perfectionist ends up eating one of the foods on their restricted list, it can lead to feelings of shame or guilt.

Control Issues

People who experience perfectionistic tendencies seek control. Since life is often unpredictable, they may try to find certain areas of life in which they can get a sense of control. For many, this means controlling their food intake and exercise regime. This need for control can cause them to avoid eating in social settings, which can cause anxiety and damage relationships.

Excessive Exercising

Food isn't the only area of life that someone experiencing perfectionism and disordered eating can struggle with. For example, some may develop an obsession with the amount of exercise they're completing each day.

Perfectionism may make someone feel like they have to burn off all of the calories that they're consuming to reach their goal weight or ideal body type. Exercise is perfectly fine—and encouraged when done in a healthy manner—but extreme exercising can lead to physical harm.

Fear of Gaining Weight

When someone is struggling with perfectionism that starts to creep into the area of disordered eating, they could become overly preoccupied and even fearful about gaining weight. This fear can drive them to lose weight in unhealthy ways and negatively affect their mental health.

Negative Self-Talk

Self-criticism and negative self-talk are other symptoms of perfectionism. Whether someone is experiencing perfectionism, disordered eating, or a mix of the two, there's a good chance they're also experiencing negative self-talk and self-criticism.

This negative self-talk can cause unwanted and intrusive thoughts surrounding one's appearance, weight, and eating habits. It can even cause them to believe that they're only worthy of love if they achieve their goal weight or shape. This negative self-talk can lead to a vicious cycle that can be extremely difficult to break.

Get the Support You Need

There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to do your best or look and feel your best. But when this is taken to the extreme, it can be dangerous. The truth is, there isn't a perfect way to eat or exercise. Instead of striving for perfection, try striving for progress. Progress allows you to learn and grow instead of feeling like you're a failure.

Not every person who experiences perfectionism will experience disordered eating, and vice versa. If you're struggling with perfectionism, disordered eating, or a combination of the two, we're here to help you. Reach out today to learn more about eating disorder treatment and how we can support you.