Anorexia, bulimia and eating disorders
Overview
Eating disorders — including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder — are complex conditions that affect both physical and emotional well-being[1]. They involve distorted body image, food restriction or bingeing behaviours, and difficulties with emotional regulation[7].
Holistic and integrative care that addresses the body, mind and spirit can support recovery alongside medical and psychological treatment[5][6].
Common Causes
These disorders develop from an interplay of biological, psychological, social and cultural factors.
Emotional stress, trauma, perfectionism, and pressure to meet unrealistic body ideals may all contribute[7][8].
Signs & Symptoms
Common signs include food restriction or binge-purge cycles, excessive exercise, anxiety around meals, guilt, digestive issues, and social withdrawal[1][10].
Physiological impacts may include hormonal imbalance, dizziness, fatigue and cardiovascular complications.
Holistic & TCIH Approaches
Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) modalities support emotional balance and reconnection with the body during recovery. Evidence shows that mindfulness, yoga and breath-based therapies can improve body awareness, reduce stress, and enhance treatment outcomes[4][5][8][9][10].
You may wish to explore:
- Yoga – improves embodiment and body trust[4][5][7]
- Mindfulness – reduces binge urges and body dissatisfaction[8][10]
- Meditation – cultivates calm and emotional regulation[6][9]
- Somatic Therapy – helps release stored tension and trauma
- Breathwork – regulates the nervous system and reduces post-meal anxiety
- Art Therapy / Dance Movement Therapy – enable expression beyond words
- Counselling / Psychotherapy – explore underlying beliefs and trauma[7][8]
- Nutrition Consultation – supports gradual re-nourishment and education
- Reiki / Energy Healing – promote inner peace and energetic balance
- Massage Therapy – fosters safe touch and relaxation
Self-Care and Lifestyle Practices
Complementary self-care strategies can reinforce clinical treatment:
- Practise mindful eating and gratitude for nourishment[10]
- Engage in gentle, nurturing movement like yoga or walking
- Journal thoughts and emotions with curiosity, not criticism
- Build supportive social connections and rest when needed
- Spend time in nature to restore calm and perspective
When to Seek Professional Support
If you or someone close is showing signs of disordered eating, seek support early.
While eating disorders can have serious health consequences, recovery is possible through an integrated approach that includes medical, nutritional, psychological and holistic care[3][5][7].
A verified SoulAdvisor practitioner trained in emotional wellbeing, somatic healing or nutrition can provide complementary support tailored to your needs.
Therapies that may assist anorexia, bulimia and eating disorders:
References
1. Eating disorder. Wikipedia; 2025.
2. Baumann S, et al. Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation treatment for anorexia nervosa: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry; 2021.
3. Campbell IC, Schmidt U, et al. A randomised controlled feasibility study of food-related computerised attention bias modification and mindfulness training in people with overweight/binge-eating symptoms. Journal of Eating Disorders; 2023.
4. Buckner JD, et al. Efficacy of Eat Breathe Thrive: a randomized controlled trial of a yoga-based prevention/intervention program for eating and body-image concerns. Eating Behaviors; 2022.
5. O’Brien J, Evans S, McIver S, O’Shea M. Integrated yoga and psychological approaches for eating disorders: a scoping review. Journal of Eating Disorders; 2023.
6. Tarsa-Lehmann J, et al. Effects of yoga on eating disorders — a systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice; 2019.
7. Grohmann T, Laws KR. Two decades of mindfulness-based interventions for binge eating: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research; 2021.
8. Kiani B, et al. Outcomes of mindfulness-based interventions for obesity and binge-eating disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Appetite; 2021.
9. Senra C, et al. Mindfulness-Based Eating Solution (MBES) for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating: randomized clinical trial. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics; 2025.
10. Martin D, Harvey AJ, et al. TRENA study protocol: double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial of tDCS vs rTMS for anorexia nervosa. Journal of Eating Disorders; 2023.
