A person suffering from anorexia is tremendously sensitive about being fat or has an intense fear of becoming fat. Closely related is the fear of losing control over the amount of food she or he eats. Beneath these fears is the underlying need to control one’s emotions and the reactions to these emotions.

Feelings, to the anorexic, are overwhelming, and because of an underdeveloped sense of self and a constant need for acceptance, the sufferer relies on obsessive dieting and starvation as a way to control weight, feelings and actions. Many anorexics feel undeserving of life’s pleasures and personal gestures directed towards them. So, instead of being in situations that may stir up feelings, they avoid pleasurable situations and begin to restrict in many areas of their lives. The restricting mentality becomes convoluted with rigid eating habits, starvation and selective about food, obsessive exercise and compulsive thoughts about calorie and fat intake. Additionally, a persistent concern with body image and checking behaviors, such as constantly looking in the mirror, feeling for a flat stomach and wearing loosely fitting clothes, become paramount in the anorexic’s life and begin to replace human relationships. The anorectic becomes isolated and inward.

The causes of anorexia are not cut and dry. Many factors can contribute to the development of anorexia. There are psychological, sociocultural, interpersonal and biological aspects to consider.

Psychological Considerations for developing disordered eating pathology:

• People who suffer from a low self esteem
• People who tend to be perfectionists and set rigid standards for oneself
• Depression, anxiety, anger, emptiness or loneliness
• Feeling a lack of control in life or in being able to control feelings

Sociocultural Considerations for developing disordered eating pathology:

• Cultural pressures that place excessive value on thinness and obtaining the perfect body.
• Cultural norms that place an importance on physical appearance and not on the inner qualities and assets
• Definition of beauty that are exceedingly narrow and inclusive of women and men of specific body weights and shapes
• Persistent and insidious media messages encourage dieting

Interpersonal Consideration for developing disordered eating pathology:

• Trouble in expressing feelings and emotions
• Family problems and troubled relationships
• History of being ridiculed based on size or weight
• History of sexual and or physical abuse
• Family history of obesity, eating disorders and improbable expectations

Biological and biochemical considerations for developing disordered eating pathology:

Research continues in this area and findings are that people who suffer from eating disorders have imbalances in certain chemicals that control hunger, appetite and digestion. Whether these imbalances existed prior to the disordered eating is hard to tell. In some instances, serotonin re-uptake anti-depressants have been effective.

If you or someone you know suffers from any disordered eating or related behaviors, please use the resource list to enlist professional help. Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can lead to death.

Angela R. Wurtzel, MA.
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Santa Barbara, CA

To contact Angela directly, email her at awurtzel@earthlink.net

Resources

edreferral.com   Comprehensive website for information and referrals for eating disorders

ednewsletter.com  Resources for professional help, websites, literature, support

edap.org  Referral and information network