Treating Eating Disorders

An overview of eating disorders

Specific conditions characterized by abnormal eating behavior involving an excessive or insufficient intake of food as well as a distorted self-image is known as an eating disorder. The behavior is detrimental emotionally, mentally, and physically to the person suffering from it. In some cases, especially when they are not treating eating disorders, the condition can become fatal if professional help for the disorder is not pursued. The three most common eating disorders here in the US are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

Normally, the most common demographic group that develops eating disorders is caucasian females in late adolescence or their younger adult years, although it is not always exclusive to this group. It’s important to realize that men can also succumb to eating disorders. However, in the US, women are 9 to 10 times more likely to develop these disorders than what men are, so none of these conditions are gender specific.

What causes eating disorders?

Although the true cause or causes of eating disorders have not been uncovered despite all the research that has been and is currently being conducted, there is fairly strong evidence to support the hypothesis that they may be associated with other co-existing medical and/or psychological conditions. For instance adolescent and young adult females suffering with ADD/ADHD developed eating disorders more frequently than those without the behavior disorder did.

Another school of thought claims that in the US, it is the pressures that society places on these females to be thin and look attractive that the development of eating disorders is related to. Despite the fact that the causes of these different disorders are still unknown, there is much speculation to support the fact that they may be associated with a broad range of other medical and psychological conditions. An unknown source was quoted as saying that “genetics load the gun while the environment pulls the trigger.”

In other words, it means that certain individuals may be pre-disposed to eating disorders and their environment brings on the onset of it. So you see, treating eating disorders can be a complex undertaking in many instances. It is important to realize that the more that is known about the disorder and its possible causes make it easier to determine a course of treatment that will be effective in addressing it.

If you would like more information on treating eating disorders and effective programs to use for that purpose, please contact the Harmony Grove eating wellness center at the toll-free phone number listed above. One of our licensed and skilled eating disorder specialists will be happy to assist you.