A Who’s Who of Disordered Eating: Russell Brand

Comedian/actor/author, Russell Brand has been public about his addiction struggles. 

Substance and alcohol are what frequently seems to first come to our minds when we hear the word, “addiction.”

But it’s more vast and complicated than that.

Further complicating things, has been Brand’s story, one of cross-addiction, addiction to more than one thing.

“Co-occurring conditions are common in people with eating disorders. In fact, 94% of people with these disorders also struggled with other mental health issues [2]. The most common are depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress, and substance abuse.”

Russell Brand, His Battle with Eating Disorder, and Awareness it Provides (eatingdisorderhope.com)

And yes, he has struggled with disordered eating and body image.

Why is this important to note?

“While these are separate disorders with their own unique challenges, they often feed into each other. For example, sometimes, people use eating disorder behaviors to cope with their anxiety. This may look like someone who is feeling anxious and, as a result, purges to get a sense of relief.”

Russell Brand, His Battle with Eating Disorder, and Awareness it Provides (eatingdisorderhope.com)

Russell’s life, one of struggle and addiction, provides us with evidence of deeper issues driving disordered eating. Brand also admits to being bullied and sexually abused as a child. All of those painful childhood events and traumas play into the development of an eating disorder.

It doesn’t just show up, on its own, out of nowhere.

It didn’t for another famous person, like Russell Brand. It doesn’t for you and me.