Eating Disorders Causes And Effects: How They Impact The Mind And Body
Eating disorders are mental health conditions that can impact both the mind and body, which may lead to long-term health complications if left untreated. Common eating disorders, such as binge eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa, can disrupt an individual’s relationship with food and affect mental and physical health. Understanding eating disorders’ causes and effects may play a key role in developing an effective treatment plan.
Managing an eating disorder may involve a multifaceted approach that treats both psychological and physical symptoms. This may include working with various professionals, including therapists, psychiatrists, and dieticians. In this article, we’ll examine the causes and effects of eating disorders as well as treatment options for those experiencing an eating disorder.
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are a complex group of mental disorders that affect a person’s eating behaviors. Individuals living with an eating disorder may eat too much or too little or engage in purging behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise, after eating. Some common eating disorders may include:
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, which may lead a person to take extreme measures to lose weight. A person with anorexia may severely limit food intake, even if they are already under a healthy weight. Anorexia may not be just about food or weight and may be linked to underlying emotional and psychological challenges, such as low self-esteem, perfectionism, and a need for control.
Bulimia nervosa
Individuals who are living with bulimia nervosa may undergo periods of eating lots of food in a short amount of time, or binge eating, followed by an attempt to purge the food. Purging could take the form of vomiting, taking laxatives, or engaging in excessive exercise. Bulimia may cause a variety of gastrointestinal issues due to purging. A person experiencing bulimia may feel guilty or shameful after binging.
Binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder often involves binge-eating in response to emotional triggers, such as stress or anxiety. Individuals with binge eating disorder may regularly consume large amounts of food in a short period without attempting to purge. A person living with binge eating disorder may experience physical impacts, such as weight gain, heart disease, and high blood pressure, and emotional impacts, such as anxiety or depression.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder in which a person may avoid or restrict eating for reasons other than distorted body image or weight loss. This could include avoiding certain types of food based on texture, smell, taste, or fear of choking or vomiting. ARFID may frequently co-occur with other mental disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and anxiety disorder.
Signs and symptoms
A person living with an eating disorder may display a variety of signs and symptoms depending on the type of disorder and severity. Signs and symptoms may be divided into physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms.
- Physical symptoms: Physical symptoms may include weight gain or loss, thinning hair or brittle nails, gastrointestinal problems, and changes in blood pressure.
- Psychological symptoms: A person with an eating disorder may experience feelings of guilt or shame around their disordered eating. These feelings may trigger stress, anxiety, and depression, which can impact overall well-being.
- Behavioral symptoms: Individuals living with disordered eating may also change their behaviors. They may experience a fear of gaining weight, a preoccupation with food, or denial of hunger. In some cases, a person living with an eating disorder may hide their eating habits or eat in secret.
Causes of an eating disorder
The causes of eating disorders can be complex and may involve a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. These disorders do not typically stem from a single cause but rather develop through a variety of influences that interact over time. Studies show that there may be a genetic component to developing an eating disorder and that eating disorders may be passed down in families.
There can also be psychological causes of eating disorders. Low self-esteem may be a common cause for individuals who develop an eating disorder. A person with low self-esteem may feel like they can improve their appearance to gain social acceptance. Eating disorders may also be caused by body image distortions. A person with an eating disorder may feel like they are overweight or focus on perceived flaws, which can drive disordered eating.
In addition to biological and psychological causes, social and environmental factors may also play a role in developing an eating disorder. Social media and peer pressure may drive negative body image or contribute to the development of a distorted body image. Periods of transition, such as starting at a new school or moving to a new home, may also trigger disordered eating as a response to stress.
Physical and mental health impacts
A person living with an eating disorder may experience a variety of physical and mental health impacts. These impacts may be mild or severe depending on the individual and the severity of their eating disorder.
Physical health impacts of an eating disorder
Disordered eating may have a number of effects throughout the body, which may vary depending on the disorder. Individuals living with binge eating disorder may experience weight gain and obesity along with heart disease, high blood pressure, and joint pain.
For individuals living with bulimia and anorexia, physical health impacts may include gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation or diarrhea. Anorexia may cause extreme weight loss, which can cause weakness, osteoporosis, and brittle hair and teeth. It is also possible for individuals with bulimia or anorexia to have low blood pressure and damage to the heart.
Mental health impacts of eating disorders
Eating disorders may also affect a person’s mental and emotional health in a number of ways. Feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth may be common for individuals living with an eating disorder. For individuals with binge eating disorder or bulimia, overeating may bring feelings of shame or guilt, which may cause stress or anxiety. These feelings of stress and anxiety may also cause depression or lead to social withdrawal.
Co-occurring conditions
Eating disorders may co-occur with a variety of other mental health conditions. These may include:
- Anxiety disorders: Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, and panic disorder, frequently co-occur with eating disorders. The focus on body image and food can intensify feelings of fear and worry, while anxiety may drive restrictive eating or compulsive behaviors related to food.
- Depression: Major depressive disorder may be common among individuals with eating disorders. Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and low self-esteem can lead to disordered eating as a form of control or coping.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder: OCD may co-occur with eating disorders. Individuals may experience compulsive behaviors related to food, such as strict calorie counting, ritualistic eating habits, or excessive exercise.
- Substance use disorder: Alcohol or drug use may be used to cope with distress, suppress appetite, or manage weight. Substances like stimulants, diet pills, or laxatives may be misused to control body size or suppress hunger.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Individuals with ADHD may experience impulsivity, poor emotional regulation, and difficulty with planning, which can contribute to disordered eating behaviors. For example, impulsive eating or binge eating may occur as a result of difficulties in managing appetite and emotional triggers.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Treatment options for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder
Treatment for eating disorders may involve a multifaceted approach that involves a team of mental health professionals, dieticians, and medical doctors. For individuals living with these disorders, it may be necessary to seek medical attention for the impacts of an eating disorder. This could include starting a new prescribed diet to restore a person to a healthy weight. It also may involve monitoring physical health conditions, such as heart disease or high and low blood pressure.
Treating eating disorders also typically has a mental health component. A therapist may utilize techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to identify and change negative thought patterns or habits. A therapist may also use mindfulness and self-awareness techniques to help a person living with an eating disorder change their self-perception and behavior.
Seeking professional support
If you’re living with an eating disorder but don’t feel comfortable with traditional in-person therapy, seeking professional support through an online therapist may be helpful. An online therapist may be able to provide you with coping strategies and techniques to reduce symptoms and improve your mental health. Research shows that online therapy can be an effective way to manage symptoms of eating disorders. An online therapist may use a variety of techniques, including CBT and mindfulness, to help you manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Online therapy can be attended from anywhere with an internet connection and a personal device, which means that you can see your therapist from home, work, or anywhere that you feel comfortable. You can also contact an online therapist in between therapy sessions, and they’ll respond as soon as they can. This may be helpful if you experience stress related to an eating disorder throughout the week.
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