The different factors contributing to an eating disorder

While bulimics may have low levels of serotonin, other studies indicate that anorexics have high levels of neurotransmitters in some areas of the brain. For example, researchers in London found that anorexics have an overproduction of serotonin, which can cause a continual state of acute stress and anxiety. Reducing their intake of calories to starvation level, which in turn leads to decreased levels of serotonin in the brain, may result in a sense of calmness. The exact relationship between serotonin and anorexia has yet to be clarified, however.

Tweet Over 10 million individuals suffer with an eating disorder [1]. Research continually grows and gains insight into the risk factors that contribute to this illness.

The reasons, thus far, are multifactorial and reflect a range of biopsychosocial factors, such as genetics, temperament, biology, trauma, coping mechanisms,dieting, and sociocultural. Understanding Biological Factors in Eating Disorder Development Genetics have seen recent evidence in studies between twins, in the link between eating disorders and genes.

These studies have shown that eating disorders may be hereditary and those individuals who have a family member with an eating disorder, are times more likely to develop one as well [1, 3].

Temperament, and eating disorders can be associated with specific personality traits.

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They can be hereditary and are often seen prior to the eating disorder. These traits include, obsessive thinking, perfectionism, sensitivity to reward and punishment, neuroticism or emotional instability and hypersensitivity, impulsivity, and rigidity [1, 2].

Individuals with AN and BN exhibit personality traits in high levels of stress reactivity, negative emotionality, and harm avoidance. These characteristics have been shown to persist even after recovery from the eating disorder is reached [3].

Semistarvation has shown to trigger obsessive behavior around food, depression, anxiety and neuroticism that can continue the starvation cycle. Imaging studies have also show that those with eating disorders may have altered brain neural pathways and reward and inhibition regions [1].

Trauma can also play a factor in the development of an eating disorder. Survivors of trauma can experience feelings of shame, guilt, body dissatisfaction, and a feeling of lack of control. Eating disorder behaviors can be a way for individuals to cope and manage feelings.

Coping skill deficits can also be a factor in the development of an eating disorder. Being unable to tolerate negative experiences, unhealthy behaviors such as restricting, purging, or binging can be the response to emotional pain, anxiety, stress or trauma [1]. Often the eating disorder behaviors can provide relief but can lead to further psychological and physical harm.

Environmental Factors that Influence Eating Disorders The media can also play an important role in the thin-ideal of a perfect body size and shape.

It promotes unrealistic and unhealthy ideas of what men, women, and often teens should look like. With the photoshop of magazine and billboard photos, people are susceptible to believing their body is abnormal, or defective, pushing them towards eating disorder behaviors.

In a researcher documented the response of teens in rural Fiji to the introduction of Western culture and television [1]. The exposure created eating disorders within the culture and preoccupations with shape, weight, negative body image and purging.Panic attacks may be a symptom of an anxiety disorder.

Symptoms and signs include palpitations, shaking, and chest pain. Get the facts on causes and medications used in treatment. Bulimia (or bulimia nervosa) is a serious mental illness. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, or background.

People with bulimia are caught in a cycle of eating large quantities of food (called bingeing), and then trying to compensate for that overeating by vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or exercising excessively (called purging).

About the Author: Libby Lyons is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS). Libby has been practicing in the field of eating disorders, addictions, depression, anxiety and other comorbid issues in various agencies.

Symptoms of bulimia

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Section. Category of Impairments, Mental Neurocognitive disorders Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy helps by teaching new ways of thinking and behaving, and changing habits that may be contributing to depression. Therapy can help you understand and work through difficult relationships or situations that may be causing your depression or making it worse.