So what are eating disorders? According to the national institute of mental health, “Eating disorders are serious, biologically influenced medical illnesses marked by severe disturbances to one’s eating behaviors” (“Eating Disorders”). Some of the three most common forms of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. According to the national institute of mental health, “Each of these disorders is associated with different but sometimes overlapping symptoms. People exhibiting any combination of these symptoms may have an eating disorder and should be evaluated by a health care provider” (“Eating Disorders”). Generally, eating disorders are caused by mental and biological issues and are not by choice. In some instances, eating disorders can become very dangerous, even life-threatening, which is why they should be taken seriously, and looked out for.
Eating disorders can affect anyone at any time which is why they can be so dangerous but they are most commonly found in younger people. According to the national institute of mental health, “The exact cause of eating disorders is not fully understood, but research suggests a combination of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors can raise a person’s risk” (“Eating Disorders”). Sometimes it can even be hard for someone to tell if they or someone else has an eating disorder. Someone may look or feel fine but they could actually be very sick, and unaware it is caused by an eating disorder. It is very important to get help if you think you or someone else has an eating disorder before it gets worse and potentially life-threatening. There are effective treatments and according to the national institute of mental health, “Treatment plans for eating disorders include psychotherapy, medical care and monitoring, nutritional counseling, medications, or a combination of these approaches” (“Eating Disorders”).
Anorexia is a serious eating disorder and one of the three main eating disorders that people struggle with. There are some more obvious symptoms of anorexia like long-term energy intake restriction, a severe fear of gaining weight and becoming obese, and distorted body image but there are other symptoms that people with this condition may try to hide. These would include things like fatigue, insomnia, absence of menstruation in females, thinning hair that may fall out and more. The DSM-5 also states that, “Crossover between the subtypes over the course of the disorder is not uncommon.” while someone may start with anorexia it could slowly turn into another disorder, that’s why it’s important to pay careful attention to the symptoms.
This condition doesn’t only affect the person physically, it also leads to many comorbidities like bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders. As well as OCD and substance abuse disorders. According to the DSM-5, there are also binging/ purging types of anorexia. These types are similar to binge eating in the sense that they may use similar tactics to get rid of the food they previously ate or lose more weight.
There isn’t one known cause of anorexia there are many ideas of what it could be. Multiple different environmental, biological, psychological, and other risk factors lead to one having this condition. Things like dieting or having a large transition in your life can lead to developing eating disorders as well.
Bulimia is one of the three main eating disorders that society struggles with. In her book about anorexia and bulimia, Carol Sonenklar defines bulimia, saying, “Bulimia is an eating disorder in which the sufferer binges and then purges. Purging can mean vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics (chemicals that increase the flow of urine), fasting, or exercising compulsively” (Soneklar 30). These ideas and ways of affecting the body can be seen by others and replicated. After learning about what bulimia is, many questions can be brought up. How does bulimia affect people? How does this disorder come about? Who gets this disorder?
To answer how this disorder happens an example that Carol Sonenklar reports on is: “When scientists studied the brains of people with anorexia and bulimia, they discovered that neurotransmitters (chemicals that help brain cells communicate) played a large role. Researchers in the United Kingdom found that 70 percent of anorexic children and adolescents showed signs of abnormalities with their neurotrans-mitters” (Sonenklar 42). Sonenklar goes on to say that some of the neurotransmitters include chemicals like serotonin, cortisol, and leptin. So while it is assumed that these disorders come from social aspects exclusively, there are scientific factors that are underneath the surface. Science is a big factor in bulimia but there is also an influence of social interactions.
Sonenklar uses social interactionism theory to explain bulimia and its causes. “The causes may be emotional, including perfectionism or hypersensitivity. Researchers also blame the media in Western society for providing unrealistic images that young people try to imitate”(Sonenklar 42). Some ways that bulimia is caused is from social interactions and negative ideals from the media and cultural ideals.
Since younger generations are more impressionable and easily moved, they are more gullible to the media and bullying which causes this disorder. There are many other factors that can influence people, but social circumstances can lower the mental health of generations and then cause this disorder. Social interactions have a large impact on the person being influenced by it.
Binge eating is an occurrence described as when someone consumes a large amount of food in a short amount of time. This is paired with feelings of loss of control over what or how much they eat. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is when this event becomes reoccurring. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) loosely defines the needed frequency of BED saying, “If you binge eat regularly—at least once a week for 3 months—you may have binge eating disorder.” (NIDKK). BED, while similar to Bulimia Nervosa, is different because people with Bulimia Nervosa often try to counter-act any weight gain from binge eating. People with BED do not routinely do this. The NIDDK states that while BED can affect people of all types, it is more likely to occur in certain people including young or middle-aged people and people who are obese. They also state, “For some people, painful childhood experiences—such as family problems and critical comments about your shape, weight, or eating habits—are linked to developing binge eating disorder.” This means that BED is caused by more than just body type and genetics, but also social factors.
Socialization, caused by social interaction, is the process a person undergoes to learn a culture. Beginning from birth, socialization can be influenced by a multitude of factors, including the aforementioned childhood experiences. These factors are called agents of socialization. Agents like the media, a person’s family, school, and peer groups have a large impact on a person’s way of thinking. Although, the media and the people that a person chooses to surround themselves with are leading social agents that influence the chances of developing BED.
With people being exposed to large amounts of social media in the modern age, it is no surprise that this agent has a large influence on how people think. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin state, “The more participants use social media, the more likely they are to have increased appetite or intention to eat, which can lead to binge eating… recent binge-eating studies indicated a significant relationship between social media use and binge eating.” (Kim). Social media often showcases the current culturally accepted behavior or body type, so when a person views other members of society through social media, they form views about how they should behave or look. These views can lead to unrealistic expectations of themselves. These expectations can lead to factors that increase the risk of developing BED like having negative feelings about themselves or their accomplishments. While social media is certainly a large factor in one’s socialization, it is not the only one.
Another significant factor in a person’s socialization is the people they surround themselves with. Researchers Sarah-Jane F. Stewart and Jane Ogden from the University of Surry found a link between one’s social interaction and the rate of weight-bias internalization, a factor that can also lead to BED. They say, “Specifically, research has consistently shown that increased exposure and close contact with those who are overweight or obese leads to reduced weight bias. This could happen via social contagion processes, whereby individuals become more like those they have close personal relationships with over time.” (Stewart). When a person surrounds themselves with people who have little to no weight bias, their viewpoint about their own weight is more positive. Stewart and Ogden also say, “Research has also indicated a role for sociocultural theory in understanding weight bias, in which greater exposure to thin ideals and attractiveness norms leads to greater weight bias beliefs via social comparison processes.” (Stewart). This research showcases the interaction between a person and their peers and how it is extremely important in shaping a person’s perspectives.
Binge Eating Disorder is caused by a multitude of factors and cannot be boiled down to only social interactions. However, elements that can increase the chances of developing BED can be influenced greatly by social factors such as socialization. Overall, it is clear that social interaction plays a significant role in the likelihood of having Binge Eating Disorder.
A very important factor to understand when opening the conversation around recovery and treatment for any eating disorder is that treatment and recovery look different for each individual and that what works for one may not work for another. With that in mind let’s take a closer look at treatment options.
Treatment options for many eating disorders vary, depending on the age of the patient. In terms of adult and adolescent patients, a commonly used therapy is CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy. “CBT helps a patient learn how to identify distorted or unhelpful thinking patterns and recognize and change inaccurate beliefs.” (Treating Eating Disorders).
Another portion of treatment often involves medication “Some people with eating disorders have other conditions, like anxiety or depression. Taking antidepressants or other medications can improve these conditions. As a result, your thoughts about yourself and food improve”. (Eating Disorders).
A dietitian is often encouraged in the early stages of treatment for eating disorders “A registered dietitian with training in eating disorders can help improve eating habits and develop nutritious meal plans. This specialist can also offer tips for grocery shopping, meal planning, and preparation.” (Eating Disorders).
Because treatment for eating disorders often involves challenging one’s looking-glass self, or the perspective we hold based on what we think others want to see from us, much of the treatment for eating disorders relates directly to symbolic interactionism.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, please call or text (800) 931-2237 and remember you are not alone.
