Social factors can play a significant role in the development of eating disorders. This includes sociocultural pressure to have a slim body, weight stigma and bullying that’s related to weight. It can also include traumatic experiences such as abuse, physical assault or severe discipline in childhood.
Those who have experienced trauma can be more likely to develop an eating disorder. They may also have low self-esteem as a result of these events. They may be also more susceptible to other risk factors.
People who suffer from an eating disorder can have problems in their relationships with their friends and family as well. They can become distant or lose their interest in other activities they used to enjoy.
Many people with an eating disorder are very irritable and have a lot of negative thoughts about themselves. These thoughts can lead to a lot of anxiety and depression.
They can also have a hard time sleeping at night or find it difficult to stay awake. These are also signs that they have an eating disorder and they need to seek help as soon as possible.
In most cases, these symptoms can be treated with medication or counselling but they often need to be addressed as early as possible in order for them to improve.
Eating disorders are a complex mental illness and they require support from professionals to overcome. They can cause serious health issues and can be life threatening.
There is no one single cause of eating disorders, but a variety of genetic, biological, psychological and social factors have been linked to them. These can include a family history of an eating disorder, as well as a range of other factors including temperament and personality, and social factors such as weight stigma and bullying that’s associated with weight.
Some people are born with a genetic predisposition to an eating disorder but this isn’t always the case, according to Dr Lisa Graves, clinical psychologist and senior research fellow at the Centre for Eating Disorders Studies at Kings College London. It’s still not known exactly how this works but it is believed that a combination of these factors can make an individual more susceptible to developing an eating disorder.
Those who are genetically susceptible to an eating disorder can have a difficult time coping with stressful situations, according to Graves. This can lead to them becoming anxious and depressed, which can then lead to a range of symptoms including low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness.
These symptoms can also lead to people avoiding certain types of food, as well as restricting their food intake. This could include avoiding whole foods or cutting out certain meals entirely.
It can be easy to ignore the signs of an eating disorder but it is important to keep an eye out for them. It is especially important for children to be screened by their doctor at regular check-ups.
It’s important to remember that eating disorders are very serious and can be life threatening if they are not treated as quickly as possible. The sooner treatment is sought the faster a person can start to feel better and get back to enjoying life again.