Eating disorders: what are they?

Eating disorders can manifest in very different ways. While some patients starve , others consume too much food.

Different forms of eating disorders can also combine. But they have one thing in common: for patients, the topics of “food” and “figure” have a very significant impact on everyday life. The course of the disease is usually chronic and its consequences are often serious.

Forms of eating disorders

We basically distinguish three “classic” forms:

• anorexia nervosa ,
• bulimia ,
• binge eating .

Not all features of the respective disorder are always strongly developed. Different forms can be combined, so they cannot always be attributed to eating disorders alone. In addition to the three listed disorders, there are a number of others. Eating disorders mainly affect young people, but they can also reappear in old age.

An eating disorder never occurs suddenly, but develops gradually. Transitions between individual stages are often smooth.

Risk factors for eating disorders

Research into the emergence, development and duration of eating disorders, as well as various risk factors, is dealt with by a number of models trying to explain them. Psychologists assume that several different factors are involved in the development of an eating disorder. Risk factors can be family, socio-cultural, individual and biological . The desire to lose weight often plays a role. There is also evidence that this disposition is inherited. In addition, the personality of the affected person also plays a role. In practice, the individual factors and the interaction of the factors are different for the disabled.

Beauty ideal and social influence

The social image of the ideal of beauty and weight loss (in Western countries) can also influence the manifestations of eating disorders. The ideal of beauty, which is shaped by a very slim body, can have a negative effect on teenagers, who experience physical and psychological changes during puberty with considerable insecurity. Eating disorders can also occur in people who have to be very slim because of their work, such as top athletes in some disciplines, dancers or models. Another influencing factor is the opinion of people of the same age.

Frequent diets and restricted food intake

This is among the most important risk factors for eating disorders. Various diets, especially very strict ones, contribute to the development of eating disorders. Phases of starvation are often alternated with phases of uncontrollable appetite for anything. Some girls and boys control their food very strictly, which can also lead to the development of an eating disorder. However, not all adolescents who try to lose weight later have real problems with food intake.

Family situation

Eating disorders may be related to communication and patterns in the family, such as certain parenting styles, conflict avoidance, high expectations, insufficient parental care, or insecure attachments. However, there are no particular patterns of behavior and communication that generally lead to the development of eating disorders.

Genes , heredity and family history

Both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa often run in the same family. Psychologists therefore assume that genetic factors also play a certain role. Eating disorders are complex illnesses. However, there is no “eating disorder gene” for the onset and development of eating disorders. It is also thought that the neurotransmitter serotonin may play a role in eating disorders .

Individual and personality

Low self-esteem can also be associated with eating disorders, especially in the case of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. A higher risk of developing an eating disorder can be represented by perfectionism (especially in anorexia nervosa) and high demands on oneself.

Mental illness or tendency to it

Certain mental disorders , such as anxiety and obsessive -compulsive disorder or depressive tendencies, as well as negative attitudes, may be associated with eating disorders .

Mental illness or mental disorder is a very broad term that includes a large number of different problems affecting…

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Triggers

Among the triggers of eating disorders, psychologists include problems in psychologically managing physical development (especially during puberty), excessive demands, traumatic experiences (e.g. sexual abuse or negative sexual experiences, but also experiences from breakups).