Boundaries have the ability to keep people safe. They can shape relationships that will last for years. They can help develop our children into strong, loving and upwardly achieving adults. Boundaries touch us physically, emotionally and spiritually and have a profound affect on all areas of our lives. When these boundaries are ignored or purposely broken the damage can be devastating and leave a lifetime of scaring. When talking with those that suffer with an eating disorder 9 out of 10 times you will discover a problem with boundaries sometime in their lives. Until the damage done by the violation is addressed the person will continue to suffer and act out in some way.

Boundaries aren’t taught in school and people can go through a lifetime without fully understanding the physiological affects they have on their personal development. People only become aware of boundaries when they see a therapist for help. When a child has encountered a boundaries violation they only know they feel some discomfort and that something is wrong. When there are repeated violations they often use food to provide some comfort. The relationship with food addiction as a comforting agent can quickly evolve as a way to take back some control in their life.

Therapists working in eating disorder treatment program are well aware of the relationship between trauma caused by a boundaries violation and a full blown eating disorder. After years of self abuse a sufferer seeks help and then must face the memories they have buried in failed attempts to forget. We all would do well to educate ourselves about boundaries and redefine them when necessary.