Body checking can feel like a way to manage anxiety about your appearance—but it often backfires. Learn what body checking is, why it happens, and how to break free.

Many people describe feeling “addicted” to food — overwhelmed by cravings and stuck in a cycle of guilt and overindulgence. But what if that out-of-control feeling isn’t addiction at all? What if it’s your body’s natural response to restriction? Research shows that both physical and mental deprivation can trigger intense food cravings and binge-like behavior — not because food is addictive, but because your brain is trying to protect you from famine. The path to healing isn’t more control — it’s more trust and nourishment.

When eating disorders and trauma overlap, healing requires more than symptom management. Therapies like EMDR, somatic experiencing, and DBT-PE can support recovery by addressing the nervous system, emotional memory, and deep-seated patterns that drive disordered eating.