The psychological effects of anorexia and bulimia.
Anorexia and bulimia are two of the most common eating disorders. They are also two of the most serious, with potentially life-threatening consequences.
Anorexia is characterised by extreme weight loss, a distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight. Bulimia is characterised by episodes of binge eating followed by purging (self-induced vomiting or the use of laxatives).
Both disorders can have a huge impact on a person’s mental and physical health. Here we will look at the psychological effects of anorexia and bulimia.
The psychological effects of anorexia
Anorexia can have a profound and lasting impact on a person’s mental health.
The most obvious psychological effect of anorexia is a preoccupation with food and weight. This can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem and a feeling of being out of control.
Anorexia can also cause depression, which can be both a cause and a consequence of the disorder. People with anorexia are also at increased risk of suicide.
Other psychological effects of anorexia can include:
·ocial isolation
· Difficulty concentrating
· Memory problems
· Obsessive or compulsive behaviours
· Paranoia
·hallucinations
· delusions
The psychological effects of bulimia
Like anorexia, bulimia can also have a significant impact on a person’s mental health.
The most obvious psychological effect of bulimia is a preoccupation with food and weight. This can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem and a feeling of being out of control.
Bulimia can also cause depression, which can be both a cause and a consequence of the disorder. People with bulimia are also at increased risk of suicide.
Other psychological effects of bulimia can include:
·ocial isolation
· Difficulty concentrating
· Memory problems
· Obsessive or compulsive behaviours
· Paranoia
·hallucinations
· delusions
Both anorexia and bulimia can have a devastating effect on a person’s life. If you are struggling with either disorder, please seek professional help.Visit Site
The role of genetics in anorexia and bulimia.
The role of genetics in anorexia and bulimia is currently unknown. However, some researchers have theorized that genetics may play a role in the development of these disorders.
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are both eating disorders that involve severe disturbances in eating behaviour. Individuals with anorexia nervosa display an intense fear of gaining weight and will often restrict their calorie intake to the point where they are severely malnourished. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviours such as self-induced vomiting or the use of laxatives.
While the exact cause of either disorder is unknown, it is believed that a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors may contribute to their development.
Some researchers have suggested that anorexia and bulimia may run in families, suggesting a possible genetic link. However, the studies that have been conducted on this topic have yielded mixed results.
A 2013 study that looked at twins found that there was a significant genetic contribution to anorexia nervosa, with heritability estimates ranging from 38 to 65%. However, the same study found that the heritability of bulimia nervosa was much lower, at around 9%.
It is possible that the heritability of bulimia nervosa is underestimated in this study, as it only looked at identical twins. Studies that look at fraternal twins or siblings are more likely to find a higher heritability for bulimia nervosa, as these individuals share 50% of their DNA, as opposed to 100% like identical twins.
There is also evidence to suggest that certain genes may predispose individuals to developing an eating disorder. For example, a mutation in the gene that codes for the serotonin transporter has been linked to an increased risk of developing anorexia nervosa.
Environmental factors are also thought to play a role in the development of eating disorders. For example, individuals who are exposed to a lot of thinness cues (such as media images of thin models) may be more likely to develop an eating disorder.
The role of genetics in the development of anorexia and bulimia is still currently unknown. However, the available research suggests that both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of these disorders.
We used mengeredstoo.co.uk to write this article about anorexia vs bulimia. Citation.