01 January 2023

Mental Health and Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders, Awareness, Information, Recovery, Research and Resources 

Mental Health and Eating Disorders

“...compulsive eating is basically a refusal to be fully alive. No matter what we weigh, those of us who are compulsive eaters have anorexia of the soul. We refuse to take in what sustains us. We live lives of deprivation. And when we can't stand it any longer, we binge. The way we are able to accomplish all of this is by the simple act of bolting -- of leaving ourselves -- hundreds of times a day.” ― Geneen Roth

What are Eating Disorders?

Eating Order Recovery and Treatment

Mental Health Disorder association with / and Eating Disorders

Mental Health and Eating Disorders
"Mental health and eating disorders are closely intertwined, as eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that involve distorted thoughts and behaviors related to food, weight, and body image. They are not just about food or physical appearance; they are serious illnesses that can have severe physical and psychological consequences.

Common types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Here's an overview of how mental health and eating disorders are interconnected:

1. Psychological Factors: Eating disorders often develop as a result of various psychological factors. These can include low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, perfectionism, negative body image, depression, anxiety disorders, and difficulties coping with emotions or stress. People with eating disorders may use food and eating behaviors as a way to gain control or cope with emotional challenges.

2. Body Image Distortion: Individuals with eating disorders often have distorted perceptions of their bodies. They may see themselves as overweight or have a distorted body image even when they are underweight or at a healthy weight. This distorted body image contributes to disordered eating behaviors.

3. Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders: Many individuals with eating disorders also experience other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or substance abuse disorders. These co-occurring disorders can complicate the treatment process and require integrated approaches for effective management.

4. Impact on Mental Health: Eating disorders take a significant toll on mental health. The malnutrition and physical consequences of disordered eating behaviors can lead to cognitive impairments, mood disturbances, social withdrawal, and increased risk of suicide. The shame, guilt, and secrecy associated with eating disorders can also contribute to increased emotional distress.

5. Treatment Approaches: Treatment for eating disorders often involves a multidisciplinary approach that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of the illness. This can include medical management, nutritional counseling, psychotherapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), support groups, and, in severe cases, hospitalization. Treatment aims to help individuals develop a healthier relationship with food, improve body image, and address underlying psychological factors contributing to the disorder.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder or mental health concerns, it's crucial to seek help from qualified healthcare professionals. They can provide an accurate diagnosis, develop an appropriate treatment plan, and offer support throughout the recovery process." (Source: ChatGPT 2023)

ADHD and Eating Disorders: Research, Diagnosis & Treatment Guidelines ADDitude

A Proclamation on National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 2022 White House

A Retrospective Literature Review of Eating Disorder Research (1990–2021): Application of Bibliometrics and Topical Trends MDPI

Anorexia Nervosa and Motivation for Behavioral Change - Can it be Enhanced? MedCrave

Anorexia Nervosa: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment WebMD

Anorexia Nervosa and Extrinsic Motivation: What Extrinsic Motivational factors contribute to Anorexia Nervosa? Wikiversity

Anorexia Nervosa and Intrinsic Motivation: What Intrinsic Motivational factors contribute to Anorexia Nervosa? Wikiversity

Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescents NIH

Approaching Eating Disorder Treatment and Recovery Holistically Imani

Are Eating Disorders Mental Illnesses? Walden Behavioral Care

Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders Program Colisano Children's Hospital

Common Mental Health Disorders Associated with Eating Disorders Center for Discovery

Canadian Eating Disorder Alliance (CEDA) Eating Disorders Foundation of Canada (EDFC)

Common Types of Eating Disorders (and Their Symptoms) Healthline

Digital Shareables on Eating Disorders NIH / National Institute of Mental Health 

Eating Disorder Awareness Resource Guide Center for Discovery

Eating Disorders Essay Topic Ideas & Examples IvyPanda

Eating Disorders Explained Breathe Life Healing Centers
  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Muscle Dysmorphia
  • Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
  • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
  • Compulsive Over Eating (COE)
  • Prader Willi Syndrome
  • Diabulimia
  • Orthorexia Nervosa
  • Selective Eating Disorder
  • Drunkorexia
  • Pregorexia

Eating Disorder Awareness: What Everyone Needs to Know The Emily Program

Eating Disorder Awareness & Education Hope Eating Disorder

Eating Disorders in Schools: Prevention, Early Identification and Response PDF Download NEDC

Eating Disorders Facts and Statistics The Recovery Village

Eating Disorders (For Teens) Teens Health

Eating Disorders Research Library Eating Recovery Center

Eating Disorder Research Program Children's Hospital Philadelphia 

Eating Disorders Research Program Stanford Medicine

Eating Disorder Research Topics MyPaperDone

Eating Disorder Treatment: Know your Options Mayo Clinic

Eating Disorder Treatment and Recovery Help Guide

Evolutionary Psychology of Eating Disorders: An Explorative Study in Patients With Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa Frontiers in Psychology

Factors impacting Treatment and Recovery in Anorexia Nervosa: Qualitative Findings from an online questionnaire BMC Journal of Eating Disorders

Finding Recovery Motivation — Scrapping the Anorexia Identity Tabitha Farrar

Frequently Asked Questions About Eating Disorders Johns Hopkins Medicine 

History of Eating Disorders Eating Recovery Center

Largest ever Study of Eating Disorders Launches in England NIHR

Learning Resources for Eating Disorders & Recovery The Renfrew Center

Motivation to Change, Coping, and Self-Esteem in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: A validation study of the Anorexia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire (ANSOCQ) ResearchGate

Motivation to Eat and not to Eat – The Psycho-Biological Conflict in Anorexia Nervosa ScienceDirect

New Collaborations to Support Eating Disorders Research UK Research and Innovation

People With Anorexia Aren’t Motivated By Hunger Signals The Ranch Tennessee 

Perceptions of the Causes of Eating Disorders: A Comparison of Individuals With and Without Eating Disorders BMC Journal of Eating Disorders

Recent Advances in Understanding Anorexia Nervosa NIH

Resources for Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder Room Here

Resources For Patients About Eating Disorders Walden Behavioral Care

Saving Lives with New Treatments for https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/our-impact/making-a-difference-stories.htm?postid=30599 NIHR

Social Media Effects on Eating Disorders Social Media Victims Law Center

Suggestions for Recovery from Those Who Conquered Eating Disorder Walden Behavioral Care

Statistics and Research on Eating Disorders (USA) NEDA

The Connection Between Eating Disorders & Mental Illness Mental Help

The Shrouded Visibility of Eating Disorders Research The Lancet Psychiatry

Therapy for Eating Disorders: Types, Efficacy, and Recovery Healthline

What are Eating Disorders? American Psychiatric Association 

What is the Motivation for Anorexia? Shoreline

Why Early Intervention for Eating Disorders is Essential NEDA

What is the Latest Eating Disorder Research? Walden Behavioral Care

Why are Eating Disorders Considered Mental Illnesses? Awakenings Treatment Center

What is an Eating Disorder? - Video



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