When we think of self-harm, we often picture behaviors like cutting or burning — physical acts of injuring the body to cope with emotional pain. But for many individuals with eating disorders, self-harm can take other forms — often hidden, socially normalized, or misunderstood.

In fact, many eating disorder behaviors are self-harming in nature, even when they’re not labeled that way.

Bullying is a form of emotional, verbal, or physical harm that can leave lasting psychological effects—especially when experienced during childhood or adolescence. One of the less visible, but highly significant, outcomes of bullying is its connection to the development of eating disorders.

While eating disorders are complex, multifaceted illnesses, the role of peer victimization, body-based teasing, and chronic social stress is well-documented in the pathways leading to disordered eating. Understanding this link is essential for prevention, early intervention, and compassionate care.

Eating disorders affect people of all races and ethnicities, but they are frequently underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or dismissed in Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other communities of color. This lack of recognition leads to delayed treatment, increased medical risks, and worse recovery outcomes compared to white individuals.

Preventing treatment dropout and relapse in eating disorder recovery requires a combination of motivation, structured support, and emotional resilience. Many individuals struggle with ambivalence, fear of weight gain, or resistance to change, which can lead them to disengage from treatment or return to disordered behaviors. By identifying early warning signs and implementing relapse prevention strategies, patients can stay on the path toward long-term recovery.

Eating disorders are complex conditions influenced by both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. While genes can increase vulnerability, environmental triggers—such as societal pressures, family dynamics, and life experiences—often play a significant role in the development and progression of eating disorders.

Eating disorders are often complex conditions arising from a blend of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Anxiety, depression, and eating disorders in children often intertwine in a complex relationship, with each condition potentially influencing the onset and progression of the others.  Research suggests that children with heightened anxiety or depressive symptoms may develop disordered eating behaviors as a form of coping

Eating disorders in children and adolescents can be challenging to detect early because some behaviors may be mistaken for “typical” teenage moodiness or picky eating. However, certain warning signs and changes in behavior or physical health can indicate that an eating disorder may be developing. It’s important to remember that no single sign confirms an eating disorder, but a pattern of behaviors or symptoms may warrant a closer look and professional evaluation.

While COVID-19 has faded from headlines, its ripple effects are far from over — especially for young people. One of the most complex and underrecognized intersections? The relationship between Long COVID and eating disorders.

Both conditions can affect the body, brain, and daily functioning in profound ways. And in some cases, they appear side by side — complicating diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.