Goals provide a sense of direction and purpose in a relationship. They help both partners align their efforts and work towards a common vision, creating a sense of unity.

“Body positivity” is not for everyone. Body neutrality might be a more accessible way to deal with your negative body image if being "body positive" seems too unattainable, or you believe it might require you to spend an unhealthy amount of time thinking about your body.

Labels and generalizations about eating disorders have the unfortunate side effect of making our inner system of pain and suffering seem less complicated than it is. It's critical to realize that diagnoses do not provide explanations; rather, they are descriptive. Diagnostic labels have influenced how we talk about eating disorders and body image issues over the years, but they don't necessarily give us a better understanding of the daily struggles we face. They don’t offer insight into the reasons behind our distorted relationships with food, ourselves, and the people around us.

Almost universally, those with eating disorders report that their illness has a negative impact on their sex lives, preventing intimate connections and undermining romantic relationships. It's no wonder that sexual dysfunction is on the list of problems caused by eating disorders, given the harm they do to the body and mind. Hormonal imbalances, malnutrition, underlying and related mental health issues, poor body image, and low self-esteem all contribute to sexual dysfunction. More than anything, it's a hard-to-miss sign of the grip eating disorders can have on our minds and bodies. Why do eating disorders affect sexual function so much? Let's look more closely at some of the potential contributing factors.