24 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder. It’s the second most deadly mental illness behind opioid addiction, taking 10,200 lives every year. It’s more than trouble eating; it’s a disordered and dangerous way of looking at food and your own body.
There are several types of eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and purging disorder. Finding out what triggers them is one of the best forms of prevention.
Read on to learn the major causes of an eating disorder.
Past Trauma
Any traumatic events can trigger an unhealthy relationship with food. Examples include:
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Bullying
- Rape
- Assault
- Domestic violence
Eating can be a way to numb emotions and distract from painful memories. Those who have been raped may want to gain weight to become unattractive to future assailants.
Mental Health or Personality Disorders
33-50% of those with anorexia have a mood disorder such as depression. Mental health conditions such as anxiety and PTSD are also closely associated with eating disorders.
There are also personality disorders that may increase the likelihood of an eating disorder. They include:
- Avoidant personality disorder
- OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder
- BPD or borderline personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
They often happen at the same time because they share the same traits. Being anxious or obsessing about your body may make you want to stop eating.
Environment
Family history or pressure is one of the most commonly cited causes of an eating disorder. If relatives diet excessively or worry about their children’s weight, they can trigger abnormal attitudes toward food.
Pressure from outside of the home from friends or classmates has the same effect. The media also presents a harmful image of the “ideal” body while marketing calorie-laden foods.
Biology
Certain causes of an eating disorder may happen within the body thanks to the HPA or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. It regulates appetite, stress, and mood.
It releases serotonin to control appetite and dopamine to regulate the feeling or reward. If they’re not at the right levels, it may create the sensation those with anorexia feel where don’t get any pleasure from eating.
Genetics
Having a family member who had an eating disorder genetically predisposes you to have one. Certain genes are also a factor.
They control levels of leptin and ghrelin that regular appetite. They even affect personality traits associated with anorexia and bulimia.
Personality
Certain traits seem to show up in most cases of eating disorders. They include:
- Low self-esteem
- Perfectionism
- Approval-seeking
- Dependency
- Issues with self-direction
Personality changes are also important eating disorder signs. Take notice if you or anyone you love starts eating less or too much, purging using vomiting or laxities, or cycling between the two.
Living with an eating disorder is a struggle, but overcoming it is possible with help. Enter this eating disorder treatment program today.
More on the Causes of an Eating Disorder
Your genetics are one of the earliest causes of an eating disorder. They’re not always able to regulate the levels of hormones that keep your appetite in check.
Food can block the memories of traumatic events or be a way to handle other mental health or personality conditions. Living in an environment with social or family pressures affects your relationship with food.
Your personality may also be a factor. Seeking approval may make you want to go on a restrictive diet to get the “right” body.
Read on for more on how to eat a healthy diet.
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