What Are Eating Disorders?
Although EDs are classified as mental health problems, they result in serious nutritional and physical consequences. Among all psychological disorders, EDs have the highest mortality rate. However, prognosis is greatly improved with appropriate treatment.
Because people with EDs feel embarrassed and ashamed of their behaviors, they often keep the disorder a secret. Therefore, it is impossible to know how many people are actually suffering. Although people of any age, gender or race can develop eating disorders, it is most common amongst young women. It is estimated that 3-20% of college women are suffering from anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. With numbers this high, eating disorders clearly affect us all. Whether you are aware of it or not, someone you know is likely in the midst of one of these terrifying illnesses.
Because people with EDs feel embarrassed and ashamed of their behaviors, they often keep the disorder a secret. Therefore, it is impossible to know how many people are actually suffering. Although people of any age, gender or race can develop eating disorders, it is most common amongst young women. It is estimated that 3-20% of college women are suffering from anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. With numbers this high, eating disorders clearly affect us all. Whether you are aware of it or not, someone you know is likely in the midst of one of these terrifying illnesses.
Who is susceptible to getting an eating disorder?
Predisposing factors are those that make an individual more vulnerable to developing an ED, including individual characteristics, family dynamics, biological factors and societal influences. Many people who do develop EDs have exceptionally high standards for themselves. They feel they are never good enough and cannot live up to real or perceived expectations. The desire for perfection manifests itself in every aspect of their life, especially their body and diet.
Although EDs do occur in males, it is more common in females because of societal expectations of how women should look and act. Activities that pay special attention to physical appearances also increase one’s risk. Activities include dance, gymnastics, modeling, and wrestling.
Common predisposing family characteristics include families that are emotionally disconnected or enmeshed. The child feels pressured to be a “good” kid and avoids conflict by internalizing feelings and appearing as though nothing is wrong. She’s a people pleaser and feels she is always to blame. Studies have shown that there may be a genetic predisposition for eating disorders. People who have a family member with an ED are more likely to have one themselves.
Predisposing factors do not cause EDs but they do put individuals at increased risk. Not everyone with some or all of these risks will develop an ED.
Although EDs do occur in males, it is more common in females because of societal expectations of how women should look and act. Activities that pay special attention to physical appearances also increase one’s risk. Activities include dance, gymnastics, modeling, and wrestling.
Common predisposing family characteristics include families that are emotionally disconnected or enmeshed. The child feels pressured to be a “good” kid and avoids conflict by internalizing feelings and appearing as though nothing is wrong. She’s a people pleaser and feels she is always to blame. Studies have shown that there may be a genetic predisposition for eating disorders. People who have a family member with an ED are more likely to have one themselves.
Predisposing factors do not cause EDs but they do put individuals at increased risk. Not everyone with some or all of these risks will develop an ED.
How do eating disorders begin?
Precipitating factors are experiences that ‘trigger’ an ED to begin. Like predisposing factors, these experiences cannot be used to predict who or when someone will develop an ED. Some people are able to deal with stressful situations in a healthier way then others. Some develop an ED as a coping mechanism.
Precipitating factors can be major life changes or simple comments from others that most people would view as harmless. Some common factors include relationship problems or break-ups, divorce of parents, changing schools, death of a loved one, body changes during adolescence, serious illness or sexual abuse. Sometimes, all it takes is someone commenting about his or her weight or body.
Precipitating factors can be major life changes or simple comments from others that most people would view as harmless. Some common factors include relationship problems or break-ups, divorce of parents, changing schools, death of a loved one, body changes during adolescence, serious illness or sexual abuse. Sometimes, all it takes is someone commenting about his or her weight or body.
Co-existing Conditions
People with EDs often have other co-existing conditions that add complexity to their health status and treatment needs. Some common co-existing conditions are:
- Mood disorders (e.g. clinical depression, obsessive compulsive disorder)
- Anxiety disorder (e.g. generalized anxiety, social anxiety)
- Personality disorders (e.g. borderline personality)
- Self harm
- Substance abuse
- Kleptomania
- Sexual promiscuity
- Suicidal behavior/ tendencies
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