It is a known fact that trauma can cause eating disorders. Serious eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia often develop during the teenage years, and are two of the most complex and difficult mental health conditions to both treat and recover from.
But what about younger children? How does eating affect them when they have experienced trauma at a tender young age? In my experience, I have witnessed young children react in one of two ways: they either use food to deal with their overwhelming feelings, similar to binge eating in adults, or they refuse to eat, which causes extreme frustration in the lives of their caregivers.
We must face the reality that putting something in their mouth, especially for a child who has been sexually abused, can be very triggering. I can attest to this. For years I felt sick after I ate, falsely being accused of having bulimia, when it was just an upset stomach triggered by eating. I have dealt with this reaction to food by taking smaller portions and not eating so much that I feel “stuffed.” My husband often jokes that my eyes are bigger than my stomach because I often take more food than I can eat.
Understanding the root cause behind an eating disorder can be the key to recovery from it. Nearly all eating disorders stem from some sort of childhood trauma, and understanding this can bring more empathy and understanding to those who suffer.