Brain Chemistry & Eating Disorders - What's the Connection
There’s no one underlying cause that triggers an eating disorder in a person. Research has shown that it’s often a variety of factors. Genetics, environmental, social, and psychological factors can all play a role.
No matter the cause, most people recognize that eating disorders can do serious damage to the body. Food restriction of any kind can lead to a weakened immune system, extreme fatigue, and an increased risk of disease. Eating disorders can also cause damage to your muscles, skin, and internal organs.
While it’s often easy to see what eating disorders do to the body, there is an unseen harm done to the brain.
Unfortunately, there’s a greater connection between eating disorders and brain chemistry than you might think. So, what do these disorders actually do to the brain?
The Effects of Anorexia
It’s important to note that there are different types of eating disorders. The most common are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. These different types of disordered eating can impact the brain in different ways, so let’s break them down a bit further.
Anorexia might be the most well-known eating disorder. People with the disorder tend to “fear” food rather than enjoy it. They put an extreme restriction on their daily caloric intake and might think about food constantly simply because they’re anxious about it. People with anorexia are essentially starving themselves slowly. That can do serious damage to the body, but it also can trigger other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
Anorexia has also been linked to difficulty concentrating and disordered thinking in other areas of life. This is likely due to structural changes in the brain. Anorexia can cause certain areas of the brain to shrink. When your body is in starvation mode, it can lead to a reduction in brain tissue and disruptions in neurotransmitter behavior.
The Effects of Bulimia
Bulimia is an eating disorder often characterized by binge eating followed by “purging” in some way, typically through vomiting. While people with bulimia tend to have more of an interest in food, they typically become victims of the disorder because they’re trying to escape something. As such, bulimia is often linked to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Consistent binging and purging can have serious effects on the brain. Bulimia can contribute to a loss of white matter in the brain, making it difficult for different areas of the brain to communicate with each other. It also causes chemical imbalances, especially when it comes to serotonin. That increases the risk of depression.
The Effects of Binge Eating
Everyone overeats now and then. There’s a difference between indulging once in a while and consistently overeating to the point where your habits become disordered.
Binge eating occurs when someone consumes extremely large amounts of food in a short time. Binge eaters often feel like their eating is out of control, and they can’t stop themselves from binging when an episode occurs.
For people who binge eat, the act of continual eating is due to the drive to maintain a pleasurable experience. Unfortunately, it can lead to an increased need for pleasure and an inability to stop impulsive behaviors. Over time, binge eating can also cause a lot of guilt and self-hatred.
What Can You Do?
If you or someone you know is dealing with any kind of eating disorder, seek out help immediately. Disordered eating isn’t typically something you can break free from on your own. Recognizing there’s a problem is a huge step, so take another one by talking to a mental health professional.
The good news is that, in most cases, the brain can eventually get back to a completely healthy state with the right treatment. Don’t wait to find that freedom again. Reach out to us to learn more about eating disorder therapy and how we can help support you.
