Eating disorders can be a tough and complicated subject to discuss. However, nowadays, it is one of the severe issues faced by many people every single day. While the best eating disorder treatments are normally geared towards teens and young adults, since they are the most affected demographic, many other treatments focus on people of all ages and walks of life. In many cases, people having an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia do not realize how serious their condition is. Research shows that eating disorders have the highest mortality rates out of any other psychological ailments. Therefore, it is very important to recognize the warning signs and red flags in yourself or any of your closest loved ones.
Many eating disorder treatment centers in Florida are equipped with the right resources and credentials to help people suffering from such mental ailments.
How Do Eating Disorders Develop?
Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. In most cases, they develop during adolescence and early adulthood. While both men and women are prone to the development of eating disorders, statistics show that women are more likely to be affected than men. Eating disorders should be treated as soon as possible. The longer a person waits, the more ingrained their disordered behaviors can become. Therefore, it is important to look for eating disorder treatment centers in Florida, when need be.
Eating disorders are a result of stress or an obsession with appearance, weight, and food. Over time, these obsessions can take over your life and be detrimental to your overall health. Some of the reasons for eating disorders are as follows:
Genetics
Genes are complicated. Evidence suggests that people born with certain genotypes can be more susceptible to developing an eating disorder.
Temperament
Eating disorders can also be a result of certain personality traits. For instance, if a child is more inclined towards perfectionism, obsessive thinking, hypersensitivity, or impulsivity, they are more likely to develop an eating disorder at some point in their life.
Biology
Many instances of brain imaging suggest that people suffering from anorexia, bulimia or other eating disorder have an altered brain circuitry that relates to these disorders. There is biological evidence showing why certain people can over-eat even when they are not psychically hungry.
Trauma
Some people exposed to trauma at an early age can develop eating disorders later in life. Trauma can often give rise to feelings of guilt, shame, and a lack of self-control. To cope with these negative feelings, some people can develop eating disorders.
Societal Standards
The media is obsessed with the “perfect body.” Societal ideals and peer pressure can dictate a person to act in a certain way. Many people are blown away by these “ideal body images” online and in magazines. They tend to restrict their food intake to conform to these norms and develop certain eating disorders.
Dieting
Dieting is not a bad concept. However, when it is not done in a balanced and medically proper way, dieting can affect people negatively. Many people take extreme measures to diet and achieve their ideal body type. This can lead to several kinds of eating disorders.
Final Take
Eating disorders are unique among other mental ailments. Early intervention is one of the significant ways to start a treatment. It is important to educate oneself before talking to the patient during an intervention.