Cases of ED have skyrocketed in recent years, affecting millions of people. It is estimated that 9% of the world’s population may have some type of mental illness related to food, and that a large part of this percentage affects women and teenagers. Eating disorders, if not treated in time, can cause serious health problems, from damage to the digestive system to damage to the heart, teeth and bones. Experts explain the main types of EDs, their symptoms and possible causes.
Eating disorders (ED) are serious psychological disturbances related to the relationship that a person establishes with food, the body and weight. Although in many cases EDs manifest themselves through extreme or harmful eating habits, their origin and consequences go far beyond food: they affect physical health, emotional stability and quality of life. At a general level, these usually generate an obsession with weight, diet or exercise, which results in abrupt changes in body weight, psychologists explain. But not only this, but also alterations in eating habits, such as eating in secret or avoiding family meals. On the other hand, people with an ED tend to isolate themselves socially to avoid this type of situation, as well as being irritable or sad for no apparent reason. Other frequent symptoms are constant fatigue, dizziness or hair loss, in addition to low self-esteem and distortion of body image.
Fortunately, according to the mental health sector, with early diagnosis, specialized psychological support, the help of a nutritionist and an understanding and attentive environment, recovery is possible. The key is detection, understanding and empathy, and this is something the psychologists at Proyecto Art know very well: https://proyectoart.com/en/nutrition/. This clinic, specialized in ED, has psychologists and nutritionists who offer a multidisciplinary treatment to address the problem in Barcelona, in addition to their online psychological consultations, both for individual and group therapies.
What types of disorders are there and what are their main symptoms?
There are several types of EDs recognized by the DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic manuals, two of the main volumes on mental health diagnostic criteria and methods. Each ED has its own symptoms and characteristics, and one of the best known and most common disorders is anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa, experts add, is the most dangerous ED because of its high mortality rate. The person suffering from anorexia has an intense fear of gaining weight, distorts his or her body image and extremely restricts his or her food intake. Sometimes it is accompanied by compulsive exercise, provoked vomiting or consumption of laxatives. Among its main symptoms, they clarify, is the noticeable and persistent weight loss, extreme food restriction and intense fear of gaining weight, even when underweight.
Another of the most common cases is bulimia nervosa. In this disorder, episodes of binge eating (excessive and rapid food intake) alternate with compensatory behaviors, such as making oneself vomit, fasting or excessive exercise. Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia can maintain an apparently normal weight. Its most prominent symptoms are frequent episodes of binge eating followed by guilt or shame, as well as the regular use of compensatory methods (vomiting, laxatives, fasting) and a self-evaluation strongly influenced by weight and figure. Abrupt mood swings and secrecy around food are also common.
Finally, binge eating disorder stands out, which also represents the most common ED worldwide. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, but without compensatory behaviors. People feel a loss of control during eating and often eat until they feel physically uncomfortable. The most common symptoms range from rapid and excessive food intake, even without hunger, to feelings of guilt, shame or disgust after binge eating. This is compounded by the need to eat secretly or in secret and possible weight gain or obesity related to this practice.
Causes of eating disorders
Eating disorders do not have a single cause. They are complex conditions that arise from a combination of multiple biological, psychological and social factors, professionals determine. Understanding these causes is essential to adequately address both prevention and treatment. From the psychological point of view, one of the most frequent elements is low self-esteem. Many people with ED experience a negative perception of themselves and find in body or food control a way to compensate for emotional insecurities. Another common factor is extreme perfectionism: individuals with high self-demand may develop an obsession with reaching an impossible body ideal, which triggers harmful eating behaviors. In addition, EDs often go hand in hand with other disorders such as anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder, which act as triggers or reinforce the problem.
At the social and cultural level, aesthetic pressure plays a key role, as thinness is increasingly exalted as a synonym for success, beauty and control, which especially affects teenagers and young people in vulnerable stages. Social media, fashion and advertising reinforce stereotypes that can lead to excessive preoccupation with weight. Added to this is the influence of the closest environment: comments about the body or weight -even when they seem harmless- can leave their mark, especially if they are repeated during childhood or teenage years. Even the family environment also has an influence: homes where there is constant criticism, lack of communication or unhealthy eating behavior models can favor the appearance of an ED, experts analyze.
On the other hand, there are biological and genetic factors that should also be considered. Several studies suggest that there is a hereditary predisposition to suffer from eating disorders, especially in families where there has already been a history. Also, alterations in certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin or dopamine, may affect the regulation of appetite, mood and impulses, contributing to the development of the disorder. Not to mention the impact of traumatic experiences. Situations such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse, bullying or unresolved emotionally charged experiences can lead to an ED as a form of psychological protection. For many people, controlling food or the body becomes a way of managing emotional pain, channeling discomfort or regaining a sense of control in the face of chaos.
Ultimately, mental health experts conclude, EDs do not arise from “wanting to be skinny”, but as a response to a host of profound factors that affect both the mind and the body. For this reason, the therapeutic approach must be comprehensive, addressing all dimensions of the problem.
