Eating disorders and addiction

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Eating disorders and addiction: understanding, connection and pathways to treatment

Eating disorders and addiction are complex conditions that often overlap and reinforce each other. Many recognize patterns such as loss of control, shame, secrecy and repeated attempts to change behavior without lasting effect. When food, exercise, weight, alcohol, nicotine, stimulants, gaming or social media begin to control everyday life, the mind can become trapped in a vicious circle. At Bemerk in Aarhus, we often meet people who experience both problem areas at the same time and need a holistic, gentle and targeted effort.

What is the connection between eating disorders and addiction?

Research suggests that eating disorders and various forms of addiction share significant mechanisms. Both conditions may be attempts to regulate difficult emotions, reduce internal turmoil, or create a sense of control. The brain learns that certain actions—overeating, restricting, overexercising, or using a substance—short-term reduce discomfort. This reinforces the behavior, even if the long-term consequences are harmful.

Stress, sleep deprivation, and high self-criticism can increase vulnerability. This can lead to more impulsive behavior, stronger cravings, and a narrower focus on quick relief. If you want to delve deeper into how stress affects the nervous system, you can read about the brain and stress here: the brain and stress.

types of eating disorders and addiction-like patterns

Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. In addition, we see many with overeating without full diagnostic criteria, orthorexia-like patterns and compulsive exercise. In the area of addiction, this covers alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, prescription drugs, stimulants, gaming, porn and social media. For some, skin picking or hair pulling also becomes a compulsive strategy to regulate emotions. You can read more about related impulse actions here: trichotillomania.

What is crucial is not only the name of the problem, but whether the behavior creates significant stress, impairs quality of life, and feels difficult to change on your own.

signs and symptoms to watch out for

The patterns often appear gradually. Pay particular attention to the following:

  • increasing preoccupation with food, weight, body, exercise or substance/activity
  • repeated promises to oneself to “cut down” without lasting effect
  • secrecy, isolation, or avoidance of social situations involving food/alcohol
  • mood swings, shame, self-criticism and inner turmoil
  • sleep problems, difficulty concentrating and decreased energy
  • conflicts in relationships or problems at school and work

If you also feel pronounced anxiety or worrying thoughts, you can read more here: anxiety. In the case of prolonged stress, targeted stress treatment may be relevant: stress therapy. Many people also experience disturbed sleep, which can be both a cause and a consequence of imbalance. Read about sleep and simple tips here: sleep problems.

Why does the problem arise? A look at underlying factors

The causes are never simple. Biology, psychology and environment interact. Hereditary vulnerability to impulsivity, anxiety and mood swings can increase risk. Caregiving experiences, bullying, body shame, performance pressure and trauma can make regulating emotions extra challenging. At the same time, society's ideal of slimming, exercise culture and available reward systems in digital media can create persistent triggers.

For some, undetected neurodivergence such as ADHD is a contributing factor. Difficulties with attention, impulse control, and emotion regulation can make both eating behavior and consumption more vulnerable to short-term rewards. Read more here: undetected ADHD and ADD. We also help families with assessments during childhood so that support can be provided early: ADHD and ADD assessment for children and adolescents.

inner criticism and shame as fuel

Many describe a harsh inner voice that comments on their body, performance, and character. When something goes “wrong,” shame increases, and the behavior is reinforced as short-term relief. Changing behavior therefore requires not only “willpower,” but also a kinder, more curious approach to oneself. An appreciative, non-judgmental framework helps reduce shame and strengthen hope. Read more about our approach here: appreciative approach.

How are stress, sleep and the brain related to cravings?

When the body is on constant alert, decision-making processes in the brain change. Short-term rewards gain more weight, and it becomes harder to stick to long-term goals. Sleep deprivation lowers impulse control and increases hunger and cravings via hormones like ghrelin and leptin. Therefore, treatment is rarely just a “behavioral change”, but a holistic effort that reduces stress levels, stabilizes sleep and rebuilds self-care. You can read more about the brain under stress here: the brain and stress and get concrete steps for working with anxiety here: three exercises.

treatment at Bemerk in Aarhus

We offer talk therapy that integrates knowledge from psychotherapy, neuropsychology and health psychology. The courses are individually tailored so that we address both current symptoms and the triggering and maintaining factors. We work at a pace that you can keep up with, and where motivation, security and small, concrete steps are key words.

Our approach may include:

  • cognitive behavioral therapy and metacognitive elements to clarify triggers, thoughts and behaviors
  • motivational conversations to strengthen direction, clarify ambivalence and next steps
  • skills training in emotion regulation, impulse control and need detection
  • exposure and response management to break avoidance and compulsive routines
  • work with body awareness, interoception and rhythm in everyday life
  • collaboration with a doctor and dietitian if necessary, as well as interviews with relatives

If stress is taking over, we integrate targeted treatment: stress therapy. If anxiety is central, we work with exposure and worry management: anxiety.

concrete steps you can start with today

Small changes create momentum. Here's a gentle start that many find helpful:

  • Stabilize your rhythm. Three main meals and one to two snacks at set times reduce fluctuations in hunger and cravings.
  • Create sleep-friendly habits. Go to bed and get up at the same time, dim lights and screens before bed, and plan a “parking space” for worries. Read more here: sleep problems.
  • Note patterns. Write down briefly when the urge arises, what happened before, and what helped. This provides data for change without judgment.
  • Exercises for acute anxiety. Try three simple exercises to ground your body when the waves are high: three exercises.
  • Share with a safe person. Openness reduces shame and increases support.

These steps are not a substitute for therapy, but can make the transition into a course easier.

when eating disorders and addiction occur together

Co-occurrence is common. Some use restriction or strenuous exercise to compensate for overeating, while also using alcohol or stimulants to soothe anxiety and shame. Treatment is designed to address the riskiest behaviors first, while at the same time supporting the development of healthy habits. We prioritize stabilization, safety, and alliance before increasing demands for behavioral change.

Impulse control disorders can also interfere. If you recognize compulsive traits or picking and pulling behaviors, you can read more here: trichotillomania.

relatives and network

relatives are affected and can at the same time be a strong resource in change. We offer guidance in communicating calmly, setting loving boundaries and support without taking over responsibility. We work appreciatively with the entire system, so that everyone can pull in the same direction. Read more about the basis for our collaboration here: appreciative approach.

When ADHD or other difficulties are part of the picture

Undetected ADHD can increase the risk of impulsive choices, irregular circadian rhythms and difficulty maintaining new habits. In our courses, we help with strategies for structure, rhythm, reminders and reward systems that match your brain. Read more here: undetected ADHD and ADD. For children and young people, we offer assessment and advice to families and schools: ADHD and ADD assessment for children and adolescents.

when stress worsens behavior

Stress is often both a trigger and a maintenance factor. We screen for strain, help adjust work pressure, introduce breaks and rebuild recovery, so that decision-making and regulation skills are strengthened. Learn more about our approach to stress here: stress therapy and read about the connection with the nervous system here: the brain and stress.

Goals and progress: how do you know it's working?

Progress isn’t just measured by weight, alcohol-free days, or screen time. We look at increased freedom, more flexibility around food, fewer binges, more consistent nights of sleep, and less shame. We track data from diaries and your own sense of control and quality of life. Small steps count. For many, celebrating processes, not perfection, is crucial.

What if motivation fluctuates?

Ambivalence is natural. A focus of therapy is to negotiate with ambivalence instead of fighting it. We clarify what the behavior gives and costs, and align goals with your pace and your everyday life. We shape changes that are so small that they are difficult to fail with, and so meaningful that they can be felt.

frequently asked questions

Can you recover completely? Yes, many people experience significant improvement and freedom over time. The brain is plastic, and new habits can be built step by step. How long does it take? It varies. Some notice improvement after a few weeks, others need longer periods with periods of more intensive support. Should relatives be involved? It can be a great help, but always with respect for your boundaries and wishes.

How does a course work at Bemerk?

The process typically starts with a clarifying conversation, where together we map out patterns, goals and specific situations that you would like to change. We then create a plan with clear steps for the next few weeks. The sessions can be weekly at first and then tapered off. In addition to the conversations, you will be given small homework assignments that are realistic for your everyday life. If sleep is a key factor, we work with sleep habits in parallel: sleep problems. If anxiety is present, we adapt with exposure-based elements: anxiety.

self-care and values as a compass

When shame and control have been around for a long time, the connection to values and joys may have become weak. We help you rediscover what makes sense and build habits that nurture relationships, movement, creativity and peace. A values-based direction makes it easier to say no to short-term relief and yes to what you really want in the long term.

related resources at bemerk

You can delve into the following articles and tools:

when you are ready for the next step

No matter where you stand, you are welcome at Bemerk in Aarhus. We offer a safe and respectful space where we can explore together what keeps your pattern going and how you can create lasting change. Many experience relief already at the first conversation, because the burden is no longer carried alone.

You can contact us to arrange an initial conversation and hear more about how we can adapt a course to your situation. If you are in doubt whether stress, anxiety or sleep are the most important, we can prioritize together so that the effort hits where it makes the biggest difference. You can also start by reading further in our articles and trying out small exercises from everyday life while you notice what you need.

take the first step today

Change often begins with a single step. It could be writing three lines about when the urge typically arises, sending a message to a loved one, or booking a conversation. When you are ready, we are ready. Together we can create peace, direction, and freedom from patterns that have held too much for too long.

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