Asians Do Therapy Rosa Lim, PhD. Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating.
Jul 25, 2022
In this engaging conversation, Rosa Lim, a clinical psychologist specializing in eating disorders, sheds light on the often misunderstood spectrum between disordered eating and eating disorders. She discusses how cultural influences, particularly in the Asian American community, can exacerbate these issues and the connection between trauma and eating behaviors. Rosa highlights various treatment options like CBT and DBT, emphasizes the importance of emotional coping skills, and shares insights on the role of community and self-care in the healing process.
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Personal Origin Of Clinical Interest
- Rosa Lim moved from Seoul to a small Texas town at age 10 and used food to cope with acculturation stress.
- Her personal history guided her clinical focus on eating and intergenerational cultural conflicts.
Spectrum: Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders
- Rosa defines eating disorders as DSM-5 level, severe, and functionally impairing conditions with medical risks.
- She labels disordered eating as subclinical obsession with food, dieting, and appearance amplified by social media.
Why Disordered Eating Can Escalate
- Progression is multi‑factorial: environment, intent, genetics, and availability of food all interact.
- Studies show 20–50% experience disordered eating and 50–80% heritability increases susceptibility.