Eating disorders can cause mental problems and vice versa. The psychological effects of eating disorders include distorted self-image, decreased self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. The causes of eating disorders are not fully understood, but the three most common forms are bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating. The relationship between irregular eating habits and psychological problems is complex, and seeking help from professionals such as psychologists, doctors, psychiatrists, consultants, and nutritionists is crucial.
The relationship between eating disorders and psychological problems is twofold, as irregular eating habits can cause mental problems just as mental trauma can in turn cause an individual’s eating disorders. The psychological effects of eating disorders are large and complex. Some of the many psychological effects of eating disorders are distorted self-image and perception, decreased self-esteem, depression and anxiety.
The exact causes of eating disorders are not fully understood. The great attention in the field of psychological research has allowed practitioners to establish a number of theoretical suggestions relating to why such behavior exists. The three most common forms of eating disorders are bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating.
The psychological effects of eating disorders were ranked using the American Psychiatric Association’s axes system. The first axis outlines a range of causes and effects of eating disorders and includes psychological problems such as depression, substance abuse and OCD. The second axis usually describes personality disorders that may be present due to eating disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, or avoidant personality disorder.
Bulimia nervosa is the act of getting rid of expended calories, usually done right after eating. An example would be self-induced vomiting after eating a large meal. This disease is generally present among those trying to control their weight and can cause psychological and physical problems. Anorexia nervosa is an obsessive fear of gaining weight, resulting in difficulty maintaining a healthy body weight. One of the psychological effects of eating disorders like these is a distorted self-image.
The third of the three most common disorders mentioned is binge eating. This results in episodes of unusually extreme eating, often associated with periods of minimal calorie intake. Approximately 3.5% of females and 2% of males in the United States suffer from this prevalent eating disorder, adding to the 5-10 million nationwide who are estimated to suffer from some sort of eating disorder. The wide range of estimates is due to the sensitive nature of these diseases, which can result in underreporting.
The relationship between irregular eating habits and psychological problems is very strong yet complex, which is why anyone suffering from such an illness needs to seek help to overcome this life-changing obstacle. The professionals to consult are psychologists, doctors, psychiatrists, consultants and nutritionists. They can often work in coalition to treat the many factors that contribute to destructive habits.
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