What Triggers Eating Disorders in Teens or Adults?
While there is rarely one cause for an eating disorder, as they are complex disorders that could be a result of several factors, it is helpful to gain insight and understanding into what activates the eating disorder thoughts and what has caused the development of the eating disorder to get to the root of what is going on.
Social media
In our culture today, social media platforms are the most commonly used form of media and peer interaction for teens and adults. Because social networking sites are used more than any other site, it is essential to discuss the association between body image concerns and eating disorders among teens and adults with social media use. There have been several studies correlating social media use with disordered eating and body image dissatisfaction. Mabe, Forney, and Keel (2014) performed two studies that found a small but significant positive correlation between the amount of time on Facebook and disordered eating for the participants. They also found that the individuals with greater disordered eating had a greater importance of receiving comments and “likes” on their status, comments on their pictures, and they were more likely to compare their photos to their friends’ photos. The reinforcement of the thin ideal is a severe risk for developing eating disorders through the merging of two social influences, including the media and peers. Therefore, social media negatively contributes to the development of eating disorders by reinforcing cultural thin ideals and image-focused messaging.
Parents, what your teen may not be telling you is that there is a side of the internet and social media that explicitly promotes anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders. Using hashtags like #thinspo and #fitspo, these accounts promote restriction and excessive exercise, normalizing unhealthy and toxic relationships with food and movement. Most of the clients I work with say that social media played a significant role in the development of their eating disorder.
Trauma
Trauma involves the loss of power and/or control. Eating disorders are control disorders, meaning many individuals turn to what they do or do not eat to feel some false sense of control. The reality is that engaging in an eating disorder can result in a loss of control and another form of trauma due to the deprivation of nutritional needs and the act of engaging in harmful behaviors that become life-threatening. It makes sense that there is a high correlation between trauma and eating disorders, because a lot of individuals will use their eating disorder behaviors to cope with the trauma.
Genetic predisposition
The word genetic predisposition refers to someone’s inherited biological traits. Similar to other mental health disorders like depression, Bipolar disorder, and OCD, eating disorders are often a result of someone’s genetic predisposition.
Differences in neurotransmitter systems, especially serotonin and dopamine, play a role in the development of an eating disorder. Serotonin plays a role in appetite, mood, and anxiety; There is a link between serotonin abnormalities and anorexia and bulimia. Dopamine is responsible for reward sensitivity and is linked to bingeing and purging behaviors.
Variations in brain structure/function, such as reward and impulse control systems, can lead to someone having an eating disorder. This can also impact the type of eating disorder someone has. For example, someone with really low impulse control may more commonly struggle with bulimia nervosa, as the behaviors associated with this diagnosis are highly correlated with impulse control.
Traits like perfectionism, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors are prevalent among those who are diagnosed with an eating disorder. Similar to impulse control and bulimia nervosa, someone who has traits of perfectionism and OCD behaviors is more likely to struggle with anorexia nervosa or orthorexia.
It doesn’t take long to see that there are several twin studies and research on the genetic implications of the development of eating disorders. In my work as a therapist, I have seen many siblings in treatment, sometimes at the same time, for an eating disorder. When I am working with a teen who has an eating disorder, it is very common for the parent of that teen to confide in me that they have also been treated for an eating disorder. While some of this may be a result of environmental factors, there is a genetic component as well.
Life stressors
Dieting, weight-related teasing, or exposure to “diet culture” can negatively impact someone’s relationship with food, leading to the development of an eating disorder. In eighth grade, I was given the blueprint in health class to engage in an eating disorder. I have heard several stories from clients on how their family’s relationship to food has negatively impacted them, leading to a fixation on food and/or exercise. For some, the start of their eating disorder began when peers began making comments on the size of their bodies.
Other life stressors, like periods of transition, loss, or academic stress, can make someone more susceptible to engaging in an eating disorder. Once again, eating disorders are control disorders. When someone is under a lot of stress, it is common to feel “out of control,” and when one feels this way, it is common to want to find some sense of control. Many people will turn to food and exercise to feel that false sense of control.
While there is not one single cause of an eating disorder, the list above is a great place to begin thinking about what led to the development of your eating disorder to start challenging the distorted thoughts or beliefs about food, weight, body image, and exercise.
The Counseling Center of Great Lakes hosts an Eating Disorder Recovery group weekly that meets on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:15 PM EST. Hillary Levergood, MA, LPC, also works with clients struggling with eating disorders and co-occurring disorders. We have several eating disorder-focused resources that can also help you in your recovery journey. Reach out to her today to set up a free 15-minute consultation to begin the therapy process!
References
Mabe, A. G., Forney, K. J., & Keel, P. K. (2014). Do you “like” my photo? Facebook use maintains eating disorder risk. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 47(5), 516–523. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22254
