What are the Causes of Eating Disorders?

Why Do People Develop Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating?

Jul 17, 2006 Lori Henry

If we knew specifically what the causes of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and binge eating were, we cold stop them before they start.

So what are the causes of eating disorders? There isn’t a simple answer. The reason people develop anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and compulsive overeating disorders is varied and individual.

There's no one cause that influences an individual to develop an Eating Disorder. What was once thought to be an affluent, white, young female's "drug of choice" is now known to cross gender, wealth, social status, race, country, religion, age and upbringing. No longer can we fit the many facets of disordered eating into a neat little box; as more and more people begin seeking help, we're finding that there is no easy answer to the question: what are the causes of Eating Disorders?

Anorexia, bulimia and binge eating are ways of coping with emotions and situations, both internal and external, that the person is not equip to handle on their own. Similar to a drug addiction, the use, or lack of use, of food is the vice that helps them survive; they depend entirely on their obsession with their body to numb the things in which they cannot deal with.

Our society helps to encourage the belief that obsessing about our appearance and the food we eat is not only normal, but admired. Anorexics revel in the attention they receive because of their strict diet and weight loss, while bulimics strive to live by the standards of perfection while not being able to stick to their "perfect" plan (hence, binging because they can't sustain starvation and purging because they want to reverse what they believe is their lack of willpower.

Starting in childhood, if a child isn't given the tools they need for the challenges ahead, they are more likely to develop one of their own: smoking, drugs, drinking, sexual promiscuity, cutting, an Eating Disorder, or whatever else they feel relieves the overwhelming sense of being out of control. All of these vices allow them to feel numb and many will indulge in a few of these while still trying to manage their disordered eating.

So what are the causes of eating disorders?

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Comments

May 14, 2008 8:01 AM

Guest :

i think that people look great the way they are

May 15, 2008 5:14 PM

Guest :

i'm 14 and i'm depressed and have low self esteem and i get hungry even tho i just ate 5 min ago. i think i'm gaining weight..,i think gaining weight will make ppl not like me anymore. i dont know what eating disorder i have...because this just started and i'm not fat...i'm 106 pounds....i dont know whats happening to me

Sep 22, 2008 1:26 PM

Guest :

I THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A HEALTHY WAY TO BE IN SHAPE AND NOT CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK!!!!!!!!!11

Jan 9, 2009 6:49 AM

Guest :

dont care about what others think

Feb 28, 2009 10:32 PM

Guest :

ive been there, i wouldnt say that i had or have an eating disorder though. But im completely obsessed with working out and loosing weight, to the point where its all i think about sometimes.

Jun 21, 2009 10:26 AM

Guest :

For myself, eating disorders, cutting, etc. are symptoms of a my personal issues/inner struggles. It's taken me a long time to realize that. For years I thought that if only I stopped cutting or being bulimic, then I would be healthy and happy. Now I know that it is the inner conflicts I am experiencing about relationships and spirituality which are weighing heavily upon me. Since I feel overwhelmed by these things, I turn to whatever will comfort me instantly. As for being bulimic, it has alot to do with control over my body and my surroundings. That's where I am at in my own journey. Hope that helps some people even if your experience is different than mine.

6 Comments