What Was Glennon Doyle Diagnosed With, and What Was She Addicted To?

Glennon Doyle has been open about her struggles with eating disorders and addiction throughout her life. In early 2022, Doyle revealed on her podcast We Can Do Hard Things that she was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa after seeking help for a relapse of bulimia.

Initially, she identified as bulimic and believed she was in recovery for many years. However, during her evaluation, a doctor informed her that she had anorexia, which left her in a state of shock and confusion.

Glennon Doyle described the experience as a significant identity shift, stating that anorexia felt like “a totally different thing” compared to bulimia, likening it to a different religion or identity altogether.

Doyle’s journey with bulimia began years prior, and she had previously shared her experiences with binge eating and purging.

Glennon Doyle expressed that her eating disorders were a form of control in her life, and upon receiving her anorexia diagnosis, she began to confront the reality of her condition and the symptoms she had previously mistaken for aspects of her personality.

In addition to her eating disorders, Glennon Doyle has also discussed her struggles with alcoholism. In her earlier writings, she identified as a recovering food and alcohol addict, acknowledging that she still felt a pull towards these substances despite her recovery efforts.

Glennon Doyle has articulated the challenges of addiction, comparing it to being imprisoned and emphasizing the importance of honesty in her journey toward freedom from these struggles.

Doyle’s candidness about her mental health and addiction issues has resonated with many, as she continues to explore her path to healing and self-acceptance while encouraging others to confront their challenges.