Unemployment and Eating Disorders in the Middle-Aged Adult

Contributor: Courtney Howard, BA, writer for Eating Disorder Hope

Losing a job later in life can be devastating. It often leaves people feeling unvalued and out of options, with the clock ticking on financial security and retirement feeling further out of reach. These new challenges can feel overwhelming, contributing to the development of eating disorders, substance abuse issues, or other maladaptive coping mechanisms.

Unemployment often leads to a period of self-doubt, including low self-esteem and feelings of helplessness. Eating disorders can develop or resurface in middle age as a result of these emotions or to cope with the stress that naturally accompanies unemployment.

Triggers of The Job Search

Looking for a new job is emotionally exhausting. Whether the job search lasts for weeks or years, it can take a toll on an individual’s mental health. This is especially true for those who turn to food behaviors to cope with newly emerging depression or anxiety relating to the job search.

It might feel daunting to “start over” in a job market that seems to place a high value on youth. John Grohol, Psy.D., founder and CEO of Psych Central, explains, “Some people believe age starts playing more and more of a discriminatory role in the hiring process. Older people feel like they are often not hired because of their age, or perhaps because their greater experience requires a higher starting salary.”

To emphasize the prevalence of age discrimination in the workplace, a television show premiered in March 2015 in which the entire plot revolves around the fact that a 40-year-old woman had to pretend to be 26 in order to land a job at a Manhattan publishing firm. The series is appropriately titled Younger.

Dr. Grohol notes that, regardless of age, some degree of depression and feelings of hopelessness are common among the unemployed. Though many people do not attach their entire self-worth to their careers, jobs are inevitably tied up in an individual’s sense of identity.

In order to combat mental health issues that arise due to unemployment, those who find themselves without jobs can focus on their personal relationships or other aspects of their lives that might be flourishing.

How This Can Lead to an Eating Disorder

Stress and anxiety are common triggers for eating disorders. Body image issues can also arise during unemployment, when self-worth might already be low. Middle-aged individuals might be tempted to take extreme measures to lose weight or otherwise control their food intake to compete with younger job applicants.

Eating disorders typically serve a distinct purpose for the individuals struggling with them. Preoccupation with food and weight can provide something to focus on each day that an unemployed man or woman can work toward, resulting in a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

The structure and goals that eating disorders can create for those who feel out of control of their circumstances is often the reason disordered food behaviors creep up during unemployment.

Binge eating patterns can develop as a similar response to stress or co-occurring mental health issues triggered during unemployment. Emotional eating can pave the way for binge eating disorder (BED), just as those with anorexia nervosa turn to restricting food to cope. Weight gain, which is common among those with BED, can further impact an individual’s self-esteem and motivation to search for a new job.

Any disordered food behaviors implemented by an individual in an attempt to reduce anxiety or stress will eventually increase the very feelings they are trying to avoid.

Healthy Alternatives to Cope with Unemployment

There are various healthy activities in which an individual can participate to avoid engaging in disordered food behaviors or other dangerous coping mechanisms. For example, though it might sound cliché, finding a fulfilling hobby can provide a healthy outlet during times of stress. Mindfulness exercises can also reduce anxiety and boost creativity.

Becoming involved in the community, whether through a meet-up group, class, or volunteer work, can be extremely rewarding and provide a pleasant distraction from unemployment triggers. Getting to know different groups of people in the community might even indirectly aid the job search.

The middle-aged population might turn to food behaviors during unemployment to create structure, fill a void, or in response to emerging body image issues. However, eating disorders can twist unemployment into a dangerous cycle of disordered eating that damages an individual’s mental and physical health. If these behaviors surface, it is encouraged to seek professional help immediately.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

Have you struggled with losing a job later in life?  What steps did you take a create a resume, and begin marketing yourself again?

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About the Author: Courtney Howard is a Certified Life Coach specializing in eating disorders through Lionheart Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching. As a content writer at the Sovereign Health Group while writing freelance through Eating Disorder Hope, Courtney is a passionate advocate for recovery and works to fight the stigma surrounding all mental health disorders. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from San Diego State University, holds a paralegal certificate in Family Law, and is a Certified Domestic Violence Advocate.

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on January 25, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com