The Connection Between Eating Disorders & Mental Health
About 9% of Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. There are 3 types of eating disorders: Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, and Anorexia Nervosa. Obsessions with food, body weight, and shape are a contributing factor that leads to having an eating disorder. Some people tend to forget that eating disorders not only negatively impact one’s physical health but also one’s mental health. From increased anxiety and depression, to having low self-esteem and feeling lonely, it is important to know the dangers of eating disorders.
When someone has an eating disorder, they deprive themselves of consuming the proper nutrients. Lack of essential vitamins and minerals can lead to mood swings, low energy, and increased feelings of sadness or irritability. Also, when you restrict yourself from food, binge, or purge, this can lead to disruption in your hormones, which help regulate your mood and stress levels. Experiencing negative thoughts in your mind about food and your body increases feelings of anxiety and depression. Food is fuel, and when your body doesn’t have that fuel, it shuts down both physically and mentally.
Eating disorders and low self-esteem often go hand in hand, creating a harmful cycle of self-doubt and negative body image. Society at times has set unrealistic standards for what is deemed as beautiful, and this has affected both women and men. Comparing yourself to unrealistic beauty ideals can lead to feelings of inadequacy and shame. Eating disorders can also lead to self-isolation. When someone has an eating disorder, they tend to hide it from others due to judgement, and that leads to them spending more time alone. It’s hard to open up with others that do not understand the mental struggle of eating disorders, so those that experience it tend to not open up about it.
It's important to provide the support and empathy to those that struggle with eating disorders. Healing is possible through therapy and education, eating disorders can be a thing of the past. You are not defined by your outer appearance or the food choices you make.
