Link Between Mental Health And Eating Disorders: What You Need To Know

It is like a chicken-and-egg situation when it comes to mental health and eating disorders. Does poor mental health condition lead to eating disorder? Or does an eating disorder cause hormonal changes and nutrient deficiencies, leading to more mental health issues?

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week: Eating disorders are often linked to mental health problems, with conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma often causing a person to develop erratic eating patterns. According to doctors and health experts, emotional distress can lead to unhealthy relationships with food, while malnutrition from eating disorders can aggravate existing mental health symptoms. Decoding the link between mental health and eating disorders, therefore, becomes important. It is often said an eating disorder goes beyond the foods; it tends to affect both the physical and mental well-being. These disorders have become pretty common these days, affecting people of all age groups, backgrounds, and genders.

Mental Health And Eating Disorder

Jinal Patel, a dietician at Zynova Shalby Hospital, Mumbai, says that various factors can contribute to this condition. “This can include genetics, body image issues, societal pressure, emotional trauma, anxiety, or depression. What starts as an attempt to take charge of your health and control your food intake can significantly turn into an unhealthy obsession and have consequences.”

According to Patel, the common downside of eating disorders are low self-esteem, emotional turmoil, social isolation, digestive issues, cardiovascular disease, extreme weight loss or gain, and malnutrition. She warns that with time, eating disorders can develop a ‘distorted perception’ in an individual’s mind about their body or physical appearance, further leading to ‘unhealthy behaviour’ that can harm them. “The constant battle between their food, weight, and body image can take a toll on their mind and life.”

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Know About The Warning Signs

The dietician adds that following extreme food restrictions is one of the most common warning signs of an eating disorder. “This is where individuals have strict rules to control their portion sizes or even completely avoid eating sometimes, leading to nutrient deficiencies due to poor dietary habits that can negatively affect the functioning of the brain. These people may often feel anxious, irritated, or emotionally drained. The lack of food and nutrition in the body can cause hormonal imbalance, resulting in extreme mood swings, along with increased stress levels,” she explains.

On the flipside, some people tend to turn to food as a coping mechanism, which can lead to ‘binge eating’. “This can develop into a cycle of guilt-and-shame. The emotional distress due to an eating disorder can worsen one’s mental health, making it difficult to seek professional help. Recognising and addressing these warning signs early on with the help of therapy and balanced nutrition can be beneficial,” Patel states.

Unhealthy Obsession With Body Image

It is one’s unhealthy obsession with body image that makes them constantly feel conscious about the way they look, leading to extreme self-criticism. Dr Fauziya Ansari, a dietician at Apollo Spectra Mumbai says it can make them engage in long workout routines to compensate for their food intake.

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“This obsessive behaviour often turns into self-hate, causing social withdrawal and depression. Eating disorders can sometimes come along with secretive behaviours such as trying to make excuses to skip meals or avoid eating with others. The unhealthy relationship with food can make a person feel isolated and helpless, which can have adverse effects on their relationship and overall life. It becomes crucial, therefore, to take charge of health and break this cycle. It can be possible with the help of emotional support from loved ones, self-acceptance, and seeking professional help when needed. Developing a healthy mindset towards food and body image can help manage eating disorders,” the doctor concludes.

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