Mental Health Corner: Food For Thought

Eating disorders can be caused by multiple factors and can affect not only your physical appearance but also your mental health. These types of disorders-- including anorexia, binge eating disorder, and rumination disorder--are illnesses in which people's eating behaviors fluctuate due to emotions and thoughts. People may have extremely low self-esteem and view themselves as overweight. They are not comfortable in their own bodies.

Almost all patients deny that their struggle to achieve their ideal body type is an eating disorder. Multiple factors can cause the types of thoughts that trigger the process.

(1) Constant comparison to so-called beauty standards that many teens attempt to live up to.

(2) Self-love: when a person looks into a mirror they should feel confident. Sadly, it can be quite the opposite.

(3) Genetics might also play a role where certain chemicals in a person's brain change to increase the risk of an eating disorder forming.

Despite the many causes that contribute to the development of this disorder, it’s crucial to take immediate steps to get help. People with eating disorders often struggle to find the courage to speak up about their problems. Therapy is a great form of treatment to help one psychologically combat these habits. Nutritional counseling also helps individuals design balanced meals to maintain a healthy weight. Many patients may seek medical treatment in hopes of treating depression and other mental illnesses that may develop from their eating disorder. It’s important to take the safest approach to heal a harmful process. If you notice signs of an eating disorder in a friend or a family member, do not hesitate to speak up. With sincere love and encouragement, you may help one escape a deadly disorder.