Do you ever feel like there’s a voice in your head that’s constantly judging you?
It’s the voice that says you’re not doing enough, you’re not good enough, or you’ll never be able to recover. For many people, anxiety and that inner critic are closely connected. Anxiety makes that inner voice louder, more persistent, and much harder to ignore. This inner critic often plays a big role in anxiety and eating disorder, feeding into negative beliefs about your body, your worth, and your ability to change. Understanding the link between anxiety, anxiety eating disorder and this inner critic is crucial for recovery.
But here’s the good news: while you can’t always silence that inner critic, you can learn to change the way it speaks to you. It’s about recognising when anxiety is fueling the negative self-talk and learning how to respond with compassion instead of judgment.
What is the Inner Critic?
We all have that little voice in our heads—the one that questions our decisions, criticises our actions, and makes us doubt ourselves. This inner critic is especially loud when we’re feeling anxious. It amplifies those anxious thoughts, convincing you that you’re failing or that you’ll never meet your own or others’ expectations.
For those struggling with anxiety eating disorder, the inner critic can be brutal. It might tell you that you need to control your eating more, that your body isn’t good enough, or that others are judging you. The more anxious you feel, the louder that inner critic becomes.
Here’s how anxiety and the inner critic often team up:
- Anxiety creates fear, and the inner critic tries to control that fear by pushing you harder—telling you to eat less, do more, or be “better.”
- The inner critic magnifies negative self-talk, turning anxious thoughts into harsh judgments.
- Anxiety makes it hard to see progress, while the inner critic insists that nothing you do is ever enough.
How Does the Inner Critic Affect Eating Disorders?
When anxiety is high, the inner critic can take over your relationship with food and your body. It might convince you that you’re not eating “right,” that others are judging what or how you eat, or that your body isn’t acceptable. This kind of thinking can reinforce disordered eating behaviours, creating a cycle that feels impossible to break in your anxiety eating disorder.
Here are some ways the inner critic shows up:
- Before meals: It might tell you that you don’t deserve to eat, that you’ve eaten too much, or that you should restrict what’s on your plate.
- During meals: You might feel the inner critic judging what you’re eating, making you self-conscious about your choices, portion sizes, or eating in front of others.
- After meals: The inner critic often makes you second-guess yourself, fuelling feelings of guilt or shame about what you’ve eaten or how much you’ve eaten.
Recognising when your inner critic is speaking is the first step toward changing the conversation in your anxiety eating disorder recovery.
Changing the Conversation in the “Anxiety to Action” Workbook
In the “Anxiety to Action” workbook, I guide you through recognising how anxiety and the inner critic work together, particularly when it comes to food and body image. You’ll learn how to catch those critical thoughts in the moment and start shifting them into something more compassionate.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- Challenging the inner critic: You’ll learn to identify the harsh thoughts that your inner critic throws at you, and you’ll practice questioning their accuracy. Is this thought really true? Is it helpful? Could I speak to myself with more kindness?
- Self-compassion exercises: I’ll guide you through exercises that help you respond to the inner critic with compassion instead of judgment. These aren’t about being “soft” on yourself; they’re about learning to speak to yourself in a way that supports your recovery, not undermines it.
- Changing the script: The workbook helps you change the story you tell yourself about food, eating, and your body. Instead of listening to the inner critic’s harsh judgments, you’ll start practising more balanced, compassionate self-talk.
These exercises are designed to help you gradually quiet the inner critic and replace its voice with one that’s kinder and more supportive.
Curious About Changing the Conversation?
The inner critic can feel like a constant, unshakeable part of your life, but it doesn’t have to be. By learning to recognise when anxiety is fuelling that voice in your anxiety eating disorder, you can start changing the conversation. It’s not about ignoring the inner critic—it’s about shifting how you respond when it speaks.
The “Anxiety to Action” workbook is filled with practical exercises to help you manage the inner critic and reduce anxiety’s hold on your relationship with food. If you’re curious about how to start making that change, the workbook is a great place to begin. And soon, the online course will offer even more tools to guide you through the process.
Ready to Change the Conversation with Your Inner Critic?
If you’re tired of letting the inner critic control your thoughts and behaviours around food in your anxiety eating disorder, it’s time to start changing the way you respond. Order your copy of the “Anxiety to Action” workbook today and learn how to challenge that voice with compassion and kindness. Stay tuned for the online course, which will provide even more support along the way.
