| The longer an eating disorder goes untreated, the | | | | controlling what, when, and if they eat, they feel safe, |
| greater the chance there is of developing a | | | | secure and in control. Feelings behind anorexia include |
| depressive disorder, and yet at the same time, | | | | a low self esteem, a distorted self image and fear of |
| depression and other mental health problems are also | | | | rejection. It is a potentially life threatening condition. |
| known to increase the risk of developing an eating | | | | - Bulimia Nervosa - someone with bulimia eats copious |
| disorder. The fact is there is a relationship between | | | | amounts of food and then feel guilty and out of control |
| depression and eating disorders and other mental | | | | so try to purge themselves by vomiting, starving |
| health problems can coexist with both. | | | | themselves or taking laxatives. It is harder to detect |
| Both depression and eating disorders are becoming | | | | than anorexia because the weight remains relatively |
| increasingly common. According to the Mental Health | | | | stable and the sufferer keeps their behaviour hidden, it |
| Foundation 10% of the population in the UK will | | | | is also more common than anorexia. |
| experience some form of depression every year, and | | | | - Compulsive eating - involves eating for comfort or |
| 2% of women as well as some men will suffer from | | | | for emotional security and is characterised by nibbling |
| an eating disorder. Anorexia is more likely to affect | | | | all day without being able to stop. People who eat |
| young women whereas bulimia is more likely to affect | | | | compulsively are usually overweight. It can be a way |
| older women and is more common than anorexia. | | | | of denying or avoiding problems and is often |
| Compulsive eating affects both women and men | | | | associated with low self esteem, feelings of |
| equally and approximately 10% of all people with eating | | | | worthlessness, loneliness and emptiness. |
| disorders are men. | | | | Possible triggers of depression and eating disorders |
| What is a depressive disorder? | | | | There is not a single cause that will trigger either |
| A depressive disorder can be defined as a set of | | | | depression or an eating disorder as combinations of |
| symptoms ranging from mild to severe that coexist | | | | factors are involved. For example: |
| with overwhelming feelings of sadness and an inability | | | | - Stressful events and experiences such as problems |
| to take pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed | | | | at home, bullying, abuse, loss of someone close, |
| to the extent that they interfere with normal daily | | | | rejection, failing at school or work, coping with puberty, |
| routines. There are several different types of | | | | worries about sexuality, etc. can all result in a extreme |
| depressive disorders including clinical depression, bipolar | | | | stress which can act as a trigger. |
| disorder or manic depression, post natal depression, | | | | - Either physical or mental health problems can trigger |
| seasonal affective disorder or SAD and post | | | | an eating disorder or depression. For example, |
| traumatic stress disorder. No one knows why some | | | | someone struggling with a physical illness or disability |
| people become depressed and not others, but low self | | | | can become depressed. Depression or anxiety related |
| esteem is known to increase the risk of developing a | | | | disorders can trigger an eating disorder, and someone |
| depressive disorder and is also an underlying factor in | | | | with an eating disorder can develop depression - both |
| eating disorders. | | | | are linked. |
| Symptoms of depression | | | | - Low self esteem and feelings of insecurity or feeling |
| - Feeling tired and lethargic for most of the time | | | | out of control of ones life can increase the risk of |
| - Persistent low moods and sadness, a feeling of | | | | developing depression or an eating disorder or both. |
| despondency | | | | Some other psychological disorders that can |
| - Sleep disturbances, either inability to sleep or sleeping | | | | accompany eating disorders include: |
| too much | | | | - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
| - A pessimistic outlook on life | | | | - Manic depression |
| - Feeling anxious and nervous | | | | - Panic disorders |
| - Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, low self esteem | | | | - Anxiety disorders |
| - Frightening and irrational thoughts | | | | - Post traumatic stress disorder |
| - Loss of pleasure in activities and lack of interest in | | | | - Attention Deficit Disorder |
| sex | | | | At the root of eating disorders are negative feelings |
| - Avoidance of social contact and social situations | | | | including low self esteem, guilt, shame, sadness, anger, |
| - Changes in appetite involving either loss of appetite | | | | stress, feeling deserving of pain and punishment, all of |
| or an increased appetite and associated weight loss or | | | | which can be symptoms of depression too. |
| weight gain | | | | Conclusion |
| - Emotional outbursts for no apparent reason | | | | The biggest step to combating both depression and |
| - Irritability | | | | any eating disorder is to admit there is a problem in the |
| Eating disorders | | | | first place as many people will deny there is anything |
| There are three main types of eating disorders and | | | | wrong and without appropriate treatment, these mental |
| these include: | | | | health problems can continue indefinitely, and can even |
| - Anorexia Nervosa - characterised by a fear of | | | | be life threatening. It is absolutely essential to seek help |
| putting on weight to such an extent that the person | | | | from a qualified medical professional in order to |
| doesn't eat or eats very little, sometimes to the extent | | | | receive an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment, |
| that they can starve themselves to death. By | | | | support and guidance to ensure a full recovery. |