Causes of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are threatening diseases that need to be stopped as early as possible if families were to evade the high costs of eating disorder programs. Apparently this statement is easier said than done. In the first place, women who are more likely to have this disorder are in denial of the existence of such problems; hence seeking professional help is usually not a primary alternative. In typical instances, some would try to avail eating disorder treatment after a successful intervention - only to end in brief hiatus from such unhealthy relationship to food. Some persons would starve themselves to death or binge and purge. As if that were enough, laxatives are abused to further strengthen the resolute struggle to attain a desired body weight. Until such time that eating disorder recovery is almost uncertain.

But why would anyone binge, binge and purge, and in the long run, drag themselves to death by starving? What could have driven these people to such unhealthy vice? Should anyone pinpoint families as a primary factor in the development of anorexia or bulimia? Is culture to be blamed?

The family plays a pivotal role in the development of eating disorders. Children whose parents are suffering from any of the eating disorders are prone to develop similar diseases among them. Interpersonal relationships as well as emotional and psychological problems may also trigger eating disorders. Feelings of inadequacy, depression, anxiety and loneliness along with poor relationships with family members may also result to eating disorder anorexia nervosa and other illnesses.

Eating disorders information cites emotional instability as a common cause of various eating disorders. Traumatic events like death of a close relative or friend, separation and divorce of parents, rape, abortion, rejection and derogatory remarks creates intense emotional pain; Family orientation on the use of drugs and alcohol; Mood disorders because of bio-chemical changes, in which case the person usually does not have a grip at what is happening in and around him or her. This is typically accompanied with feelings of fear to seek professional help from anorexia or bulimia treatment centers. Low self-esteem is also among the reasons why some women binge.