Eating disorders are silent killers. For women aged 15-24, eating disorders are among the top four leading causes of burden of diseases in terms of years of life lost through death or disability. Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest mortality rates and the highest suicide rate of any psychiatric disorder. Annually around 30 million people suffer from an eating disorder in the United States alone, and those are just the people who are accounted for. Millions of people go undiagnosed every year, or are too scared to speak up about their struggle. In perspective, every 62 minutes someone dies from a direct result of an eating disorder.
There are many different kinds of eating disorders. Among the most common are anorexia nervosa, purging disorder, bulimia nervosa, pica, orthorexia disorder, rumination syndrome, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), feeding disorder, and night eating disorder. Even if someone isn't specifically diagnosed with any of these types, doesn't mean that they aren't struggling in some way regarding food, or may be exhibiting certain behaviors dangerous to their well being that may be a kind of adaptation of any of these disorders. Eating disorders come in many different ways, but they are all very serious, as well as deadly. There is not one certain shape, size, ethnicity, personality, or mentality that makes up an eating disorder although some people believe that there is. A very common stereotype for an eating disorder is having to be stick thin, this isn' t always the case, and just because someone doesn't fit this description doesn't mean they aren't suffering or their situation isn't severe.
There isn't one specific way to describe or define any type of eating disorder, because everyone's case is specific to them. One thing that you can know about them that is a universal fact is that an eating disorder is a bio-psycho-social disease, and not a lifestyle choice. People who suffer from these deadly illnesses, do not chose to do so. The wiring of the brain may make someone more prone to developing one and genetics can play into this as well. The illness tricks the brain into thinking in a different way and will also distort someone's perception and image of themselves. They will overtake your mentality and are extremely hard to challenge. Different aspects of life can trigger an eating disorder, though. Psychological issues are a heavy factor for this, including issues like coping skills, control issues, trauma, family trouble, or social issues. But, no one or no specific situation is to blame for the development of an eating disorder.
People consumed by any form of an eating disorder usually are perfectionists or lack self confidence. They don't feel as though they are good enough or fit the certain image that they think will make other's accept them. This is especially seen in dancers and gymnasts, where they have to constantly look in the mirror while doing their sport. Mosts of the eating disorder thoughts come from comparisons. Girls and guys both begin to look at those around them, or people on social media, TV, and magazines and compare themselves to them. Their own self image becomes impaired and they can't truly see their own beauty. Many of the images they see in the media are unreal or unrealistic, yet the brain tells them that they need to achieve it.
The insecurity of themselves causes them to need to change, and one of the ways they change themselves and have control over it is by limiting their food intake, or participating in other eating disorder behaviors. Usually a person with an eating disorder feels that in order to be "beautiful", "popular", "perfect", "attractive" or "accepted", they have to be a certain size or image. Also, many athletes or athletic driven people that suffer from this believe that to become better at their craft, they must become smaller. This makes the disorder a complicated, psychological monster. It is embedded in their thinking and is hard to unravel.
The insecurity of themselves causes them to need to change, and one of the ways they change themselves and have control over it is by limiting their food intake, or participating in other eating disorder behaviors. Usually a person with an eating disorder feels that in order to be "beautiful", "popular", "perfect", "attractive" or "accepted", they have to be a certain size or image. Also, many athletes or athletic driven people that suffer from this believe that to become better at their craft, they must become smaller. This makes the disorder a complicated, psychological monster. It is embedded in their thinking and is hard to unravel.
