Challenges Of Eating Disorders: How Disordered Eating Can Impact Your Life
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Eating disorders are mental health conditions involving unhealthy and maladaptive behaviors related to consuming and processing food. They are often associated with concerns about body image, although some individuals may use disordered eating habits as coping mechanisms to process negative emotions. There are several challenges associated with living with an eating disorder, but there is also help available. If you’re experiencing disordered eating behaviors, consider reaching out to a therapist to start your recovery journey.
Common eating disorders: Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder
Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder tend to be the most common types of eating disorders.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa, usually shortened to anorexia, is an eating disorder typically characterized by an extreme fear of weight gain and resulting behaviors intended to help a person lose weight or avoid gaining weight. These behaviors could include fasting or excessive exercise.
People with anorexia may experience extreme levels of weight loss that could result in medical complications and hospitalization, and in severe cases, anorexia can be life-threatening.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa, typically referred to as bulimia, is an eating disorder involving two specific disordered eating behaviors: binging and purging.
People with bulimia typically engage in binge eating episodes, consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time. They may then “purge” the food by vomiting, taking laxatives, exercising, or fasting. People with bulimia may become very secretive about their food consumption and purging behaviors.
Binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder differs slightly from the previously mentioned types of eating disorders. It’s usually not associated with concerns about weight gain or body shape, but instead, it can serve as a maladaptive coping mechanism for processing difficult feelings.
People with binge eating disorder usually experience episodes of binge eating in which they sense they are “out of control,” but they do not usually engage in compensatory behaviors afterward.
Physical health challenges associated with eating disorders
Eating disorders can be unique among mental health disorders in that they often lead to direct and noticeable physical health concerns. These health complications can vary based on the disorder, but they often exacerbate the mental health challenges associated with eating disorders, and this may become a vicious cycle.
Physical complications linked to anorexia
- Brittle hair and nails
- Dry skin
- Lanugo (hair growth all over the body)
- Diminished immune response, leading to increased infection susceptibility
- Loss of menstrual period
- Osteoporosis
- Cardiovascular concerns
- Hormonal imbalances
- Fatigue
- Muscle loss
- Overall body weakness
- Organ failure (in severe cases)
Physical complications linked to bulimia
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Tooth decay and other dental problems associated with prolonged exposure to stomach acid in vomit
- Chronic sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Nausea even without induced vomiting
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Esophageal damage
- Heart arrhythmia
Physical complications linked to binge eating disorder
- Metabolic issues
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular problems
- Weight gain
- Type 2 diabetes
- Physical discomfort
Mental health concerns linked to eating disorders
Eating disorders often co-occur and interact with other mental health conditions. Many people with eating disorders also meet the diagnostic criteria for one or more additional mental health conditions, such as those listed below.
- Depression: The hopelessness, shame, and self-loathing associated with eating disorders can lead to or arise from depressive symptoms.
- Anxiety: Managing food intake and planning binges and purges can be stressful. Many people with eating disorders persistently worry about their weight and the perceptions of others, which can contribute to anxiety.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Disordered eating behaviors could be maladaptive coping responses to process intense emotions related to traumatic experiences, in which case it’s possible for PTSD to lead to disordered eating. An eating disorder can also lead to PTSD, particularly if disordered eating behavior leads to serious medical complications involving hospitalization and institutionalization.
- Substance use disorders: People with eating disorders may use substances, particularly stimulants, to suppress their appetites, which can lead to addiction. Substances could also be used to process some of the challenging emotions related to eating disorders.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): OCD is often associated with anorexia in particular, as the obsessive nature of tracking one’s food intake can overlap with OCD symptoms.
The social isolation and stigma of eating disorders
Disordered eating can be highly stigmatized, with society often believing that eating disorders stem from a shallow concern for one’s appearance. Some may also hold the belief that eating disorders are not serious illnesses.
The stigma associated with eating disorders can lead people with these conditions to attempt to hide their eating behaviors from others, which may eventually lead to them refusing to eat with other people at all. Since many social engagements revolve around eating and food consumption, this shift can negatively impact a person’s social life.
The resulting loneliness and isolation can then become a vicious cycle. The person may engage in more disordered eating behaviors to cope with loneliness, which can drive them even further away from the supportive relationships in their life.
Barriers to eating disorder treatment and recovery
Many people with eating disorders may not realize the extent to which their behaviors have become maladaptive and unhealthy. This lack of insight could serve as a form of denial. Their behaviors may have become coping mechanisms that they do not want to address or give up, and they may also receive positive feedback for their weight loss in the case of anorexia or bulimia.
Society tends to value thinness, and people who restrict their food consumption, diet frequently, and exercise often may be praised by others for their “discipline.” These compliments could lead people with eating disorders to become extremely resistant to changing their behavior or seeking help.
Additionally, societal stereotypes of eating disorder patients could make it more difficult for certain groups to access treatment and recovery services. While the majority of eating disorder patients tend to be female, men can also have difficulties with disordered eating, but their symptoms may not be as recognizable, and they may not be referred to treatment as often.
According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, inaccurate stereotypes about the body size of eating disorder patients may also be a barrier to treatment. People with eating disorders can have any body shape, and you do not need to be underweight to experience the health problems associated with eating disorders.
Mental health support for eating disorders
While eating disorders can be serious mental health conditions, they are also treatable. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be one of the most effective treatment options for eating disorders, as it typically addresses the negative thought patterns associated with disordered eating. Studies have indicated that people with eating disorders treated with cognitive behavioral therapy usually show a marked reduction in symptoms.
Online therapy as a mental health treatment for eating disorders
The stigma associated with eating disorders can make it difficult for patients to seek treatment in person. Online therapy could be one way to bridge this treatment gap, although it may need to be combined with in-person medical care in some cases. Communicating with a therapist in an online format may provide a sense of distance, which could help patients feel more comfortable engaging with their treatment provider.
Researchers have found that online therapy for eating disorder treatment may be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy. One study examined the efficacy of an online therapeutic intervention for bulimia and found that online therapy appeared to produce similar results to in-person treatment.
Takeaway
What are the impacts of eating disorders?
Eating disorders often impact both mental and physical health, and each type of eating disorder usually comes with its own effects. For instance, anorexia nervosa is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, distorted body image, and food restriction. People with anorexia may only eat certain foods that they view as “safe.” This can lead to serious problems, even brain damage and death, especially if a person becomes dangerously underweight. However, it’s possible to have anorexia even if a person is at an average weight, healthy weight, or is overweight.
Meanwhile, a person with binge eating disorder generally engages in binge episodes, eating unusually large amounts of food in one sitting. Often, they become uncomfortably full, eating more than they intend to. They may sense they are out of control while eating and experience severe guilt afterward. Binge eating disorder may lead a person to gain weight and experience obesity, and it can put people at risk of related physical ailments.
Those with bulimia nervosa, which usually involves too much focus on a distorted self-image, may also engage in binge episodes. However, these episodes are typically followed by purging, often through forced vomiting. This behavior can lead to concerns like acid reflux, swollen and painful muscles in the neck and jaw area that become increasingly sensitive, and problems with tooth enamel.
All of the eating disorders described above tend to be associated with low self-esteem, changes in body size, mood changes, social withdrawal to avoid embarrassment and feeling distressed, and a need for treatment plans from health care providers. Often, talking to your primary care provider can be a good place to start.
What are some of the challenges that come with treating eating disorders?
Treating eating disorders can be challenging because it typically requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both physical and mental health. In some cases, it’s necessary to involve a family member (or members) in treatment services via family psychotherapy, especially when the person with an eating disorder is an adolescent or young adult who is still living at home. Combining therapy, medical care, nutrition counseling, and other aspects of treatment can be complex. In cases with serious complications, a residential treatment program may be the best option.
What effects does this eating disorder have on personal life and the family?
Eating disorders often lead those who have them to withdraw socially and isolate themselves in order to hide their disordered eating habits. People with eating disorders frequently struggle to focus on anything except food, eating, and their body image. This can impact their ability to complete daily responsibilities, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy their hobbies and interests.
What are the factors affecting eating disorders?
A few risk factors for eating disorders include the following:
- Family history of eating disorders
- Personal history of other mental health disorders
- History of dieting and poor body image
- Personality traits like impulsivity and perfectionism
- Emotional dysregulation
Social factors and influences can also play a role. However, it’s thought that proper nutrition education, along with other interventions, may help prevent eating disorders.
Why are eating disorders so hard to treat?
Eating disorders can be hard to treat because people with these disorders are often resistant to treatment. They may view their eating habits as a lifestyle choice rather than a disorder that requires the support of physical and mental health professionals. In addition, getting eating disorders treated is a multifaceted process that requires many health care professionals to work together.
What are some risk factors of eating disorders?
Risk factors for eating disorders can include those listed below:
- Having a close family member who has experienced an eating disorder
- Having a personal history of mental health concerns
- Having personality traits like perfectionism and impulsivity
- Frequently experiencing emotional dysregulation
- Having a history of poor body image and dieting
What triggers eating disorders?
Eating disorders are usually triggered by a wide range of genetic and environmental risk factors. They don’t have one specific cause.
What are eating disorders influenced by?
Research suggests that there is not one exact cause of eating disorders. Instead, eating disorders can be influenced by genetics, environmental factors, and societal influences. For example, the ideal body shape and size promoted by the media can impact a person’s body image and combine with other risk factors to make them more likely to develop an eating disorder.
What is most associated with eating disorders?
The behaviors most associated with eating disorders generally include severe food restriction (anorexia nervosa), a pattern of binging and purging (bulimia nervosa), or eating large quantities of food at once and sensing that one is out of control (binge eating disorder).
How do eating disorders develop?
Eating disorders typically develop in response to numerous risk factors. Adolescents and females tend to have the highest risk of experiencing eating disorders, but it’s possible for people of any and all demographics to develop them.
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