The Link Between Trauma and Eating Disorders

For many individuals, an eating disorder isn’t just about food or body image. It can be a deeply rooted response to pain, fear, or a history of trauma. While every person’s experience is unique, research and clinical insight continue to shed light on the profound relationship between trauma and disordered eating.

At its core, trauma overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. It can result from a single event—such as an accident, loss, or assault—or from ongoing experiences, like abuse, neglect, or chronic instability. For some, the eating disorder becomes a way to regain a sense of control, numb overwhelming emotions, or feel safe in a world that once felt unsafe.

Why the Body Holds the Story

Trauma is not just stored in memory—it lives in the body. It can impact a person’s nervous system, sense of identity, and relationship with their physical self. When food becomes one of the only things someone feels they can control, restrictive behaviors, bingeing, or purging can emerge as attempts to self-soothe or cope. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), a significant number of people with eating disorders report histories of trauma—including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

Trauma Doesn’t Always Look Obvious

Not all trauma is overt. It can come from subtle but persistent emotional invalidation, bullying about body size or appearance, or living in a culture that promotes perfectionism and thinness. Unfortunately, these experiences can be deeply internalized, especially during childhood or adolescence, and shape how individuals perceive themselves and their bodies.

Creating Safety for Healing

At BodyKind Vail, we understand that healing from an eating disorder often involves more than nutritional rehabilitation—it includes rebuilding trust, safety, and self-compassion. We offer peer support rooted in lived experience, where individuals are met with empathy, not judgment. Our community is built around the understanding that recovery requires support, connection, and spaces where stories can be shared without shame.

We’re also committed to trauma-informed practices in every aspect of our programming—from the way we host peer groups to how we approach prevention with youth. By recognizing the role trauma can play, we’re better equipped to walk alongside individuals in their healing journey, always honoring their pace and autonomy.

If This Resonates With You

If you’ve experienced trauma and are navigating an eating disorder, you are not alone—and it’s not your fault. Healing is possible.

Sources:

• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

• Eating Disorders Coalition. Trauma and Eating Disorders Fact Sheet.

• Levine, P. A. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness.

• van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score.