About Eating Disorders
Types of Eating Disorders
How common are they?
What causes them?
How long do they last?
What treatments are effective?
A review of the evidence
What's new?
Resources

What causes them ?

Eating disorders have complex cultural and personality causes. Genetics may play a role, as well. No one factor is responsible for the conditions.  They are more often found in Western cultures where food is readily available and where thinness is a physical ideal for women.

Many people with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) become obsessed with food and may hoard food or do things like collecting recipes.  They become very self-conscious about eating in public, and have feelings of being ineffective and wanting to control their environment. They also display rigid thinking, poor social skills, and a lack of initiative. Girls/women with the purging type of AN may have drug or alcohol abuse problems and have more problems with their mood.

People with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) seem to be ashamed of their eating and try to hide their symptoms. Their feelings of self worth are very tied up with their weight and body shape. Their binges are usually started by feelings of sadness or unhappiness with these aspects of self. There are feelings of loss of control of the eating. For many people with eating disorders, especially BN, vomiting becomes an end in itself.

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