The Causes of Eating Disorders Essay - 1994 Words

The Causes of Eating Disorders There is no single cause for eating disorders. A number of factors, including cultural and family pressures, chemical imbalances, and emotional and personality disorders collaborate to produce both anorexia and bulimia, although each disorder is determined by different combinations of these influences. Genetics may also play a small role. Between 40% to 96% of all eating-disordered patients experience depression and anxiety disorders; depression is also common in families of patients with eating disorders. Bulimic patients are more likely to report having emotional disorders and dysfunctional families than are anorexic-restrictor patients. It is not clear, however, whether emotional disorders are†¦show more content†¦Eating sweets increases serotonin. Seasonality often affects both depression and eating disorders. In many people, depression is more severe in darker winter months. Similarly, a subgroup of bulimic patients suffer from a specific form of bulimia that worsens in winter and fall; such patients are more apt to have started bingeing at an earlier age and to binge more frequently than those whose bulimia is more consistent year round. Onset of anorexia appears to peak in May, which is also the peak month for suicide. Anxiety disorders are very common in anorexia and bulimia. Phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) usually precede the onset of the eating disorder, while panic disorder tends to follow. Social phobias, in which a person is fearful about being humiliated in public, are common in both eating disorders. People with anorexia are especially prone to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessions are recurrent or persistent mental images, thoughts, or ideas, which may result in compulsive behavior -- repetitive, rigid, and self-prescribed routines that are intended to prevent the manifestation of the obsession. Women with anorexia may become obsessed with exercise, dieting, and food. They often develop compulsive rituals -- e.g., weighing every bit of food, cutting it into tiny pieces, or putting it into tiny containers. The presence of OCD with either anorexia or bulimia does notShow MoreRelatedCauses of Eating Disorders643 Words   |  3 PagesCauses of eating disorders. The things that are contributing greatly to the increase of eating disorders is the media. Many teenagers grow up being influenced by magazines, movies, and models and they think that the only way that society will accept them is if they look exactly like those people. They have the fear of becoming fat and being bullied. These kids are genuinely scared to grow up and have to face body changes. there is also the other part of these disorders. Not all people who have anRead MoreThe Causes of Eating Disorders 1295 Words   |  5 PagesEating disorders have been around for well over a century, and affect tons of people around your neighborhood, town, county, state, or even country that walk, talk, and act just like you. The two big dogs of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, which affect young boys and girls alike that cannot control their feelings when it comes to food. Some decide that food is not their thing, which is known as anorexia; and, some people have a love/hate relationship with food, better knownRead MoreCauses And Consequences Of Eating Disorders1608 Words   |  7 Pages The eating disorders, Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are psychological life threatening disorders that are becoming more common in today’s society. When an eating disorder is developed, the victim is not always aware of the oral consequences he or she will have to endure. This review of research indicates the risks and consequences associated with eating disorders and oral health. Introduction It is estimated that up to 24 million Americans suffer from serious eating disorders suchRead More The Cause of Eating Disorders Essay591 Words   |  3 PagesThe Cause of Eating Disorders Although the causes are many and varied, we know that people with eating disorders often use food and the control of food in an attempt to compensate for feelings and emotions that may otherwise seem overwhelming. For some, dieting, bingeing and purging may begin as a way to cope with painful emotions and a way to feel in control of ones life, but ultimately, these behaviors will damage a persons physical and emotional health, self-esteem and sense of competenceRead More Cause of Eating Disorders Essays877 Words   |  4 PagesCause of Eating Disorders In America, today we often hear of people who suffer from illness such as cancer, aids etc. what we often don’t hear about is the illness that effects a lot of people each year that being eating disorders. Whenever I hear about eating disorders it remains me of one of my cousin who had suffered from anorexia. It all started when her family and acquaintances started to say that she was fat and chubby. In her family everyone is very slim and tall so her brothersRead MoreCauses of Eating Disorders Eating disorders are several types of severe eating illnesses that700 Words   |  3 PagesCauses of Eating Disorders Eating disorders are several types of severe eating illnesses that cause people to maintain focus on only their diet and weight. Some prime examples of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating. Anorexia nervosa is a type of eating disorder where people are so focused on their weight that they refuse to eat or eat as little as possible, bulimia nervosa is similar to anorexia except instead of eating so little people binge eat and then forceRead MoreCauses And Treatments Of Binge Eating Disorder922 Words   |  4 Pagessound fun to you? Life is difficult without having an eating disorder. Growing up eating everything I could get my hands on caused health problems for me now that I am older. Binge eating and anorexia are serious eating disorders that cause physical, behavioral, and psychological problems. The most common disorder is binge eating. Binge eating disorder (BED) is consuming large quantities of food in a short period of time. People find that over eating is a comfort zone for them. The problems AmericansRead MoreCause and Effect Essay on Eating Disorders1551 Words   |  7 PagesThe distinctions between eating disorders can be complex. While anorexia and bulimia may have some issues in common, other factors make them distinct. For parents, trying to understand the differences can be crucial. Early detection and proper treatment significantly improve the chances for a child to recover. Bulimia and anorexia are both very dangerous, and can be life threatening. Both are very common among teens and young adults. Eating disorders are becoming more familiar for this generationRead MoreThe Causes Of Eating Disorders In College Women1444 Words   |  6 PagesEating Disorders in College Women Bingeing. Purging. Calorie counting. Excessive exercising. These are actions that are most commonly associated with eating disorders, which are psychological conditions affecting an individual’s eating habits. Though these conditions can appear in any age or gender group, they tend to be most prevalent in adolescent women. A large population of these young women happen to be college students dealing with problems such as body image issues, food insecurity, andRead MoreEating Disorders Looking Mainly At Their Causes1387 Words   |  6 PagesFor this paper, I chose to focus on eating disorders looking mainly at their causes. Based on personal experience, I feel that these disorders are stereotyped very heavily in our society, and that public awareness of their causes lacking. Growing up I was always very thin, due to a high metabolism and a small bone structure; traits which ran in my family. Many times, people would make fun of me and even call me anorexic. However, I was no t anorexic or bulimic, I was just a thin child, and am still