Eating disorders - what are they and what are their causes?

Eating disorders are serious psychological problems that affect both the way people eat and their perception of their bodies. The disorder is most often diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, with women more often affected than men.

What promotes the development of eating disorders?

There is no single cause of eating disorders. Most often they are said to have a multifactorial basis, which includes:

• Personality traits - low self-esteem, perfectionism, high emotional sensitivity, difficulty coping with stress, strong need for control and achievement;

• Negative body image - lack of acceptance of one's appearance

• Environmental oppression - lack of acceptance from peers, comments about appearance, cultural patterns promoting thinness

• Tough life experiences - physical and psychological violence, sexual abuse

• Improper family relationships - overprotection, excessive control, lack of emotional closeness, exorbitant expectations;

• Professions requiring weight control - dancers, models, athletes are at particular risk of developing eating disorders due to the pressure to maintain a certain body shape.

Symptoms suggestive of an eating disorder

Eating disorders can manifest themselves in many ways, and certain behaviors can be a wake-up call. Worth noting:

• Obsessive weight control and a strong fear of getting fat;

• Drastic dietary restrictions or bouts of overeating;

• Using extreme weight loss methods, such as provoking vomiting, excessive exercise, starvation;

• Excessive focus on the subject of food, cooking for others but avoiding their own meals;

• Losing control of eating under stress or emotion;

• Clear weight fluctuations;

• Extreme adherence to restrictive diets and diet plans.

If these behaviors occur in you or a loved one, it's worth getting help from a specialist. The earlier treatment begins, the better the chance of recovery.

Types of eating disorders

The most commonly diagnosed eating disorders are:

• Anorexia - is characterized by a strong fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of one's figure. People with anorexia often follow drastic diets, avoid food and aim for extremely low body weight.

• Bulimia - involves paroxysmal overeating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as provoking vomiting, using laxatives or intense exercise.

• Other eating disorders - include, for example, compulsive overeating syndrome, orthorexia (the obsessive pursuit of "clean" food) or night eating disorders.

Treatment of eating disorders

The most effective method of therapy is psychotherapy, tailored to the individual needs of the patient. Cooperation with other specialists - nutritionists, psychologists, psychiatrists and, in some cases, an internal medicine doctor - is also crucial. Appropriate support and early intervention can significantly increase the chances of recovery.