Common Characteristics/Behavioral Tendencies
People who have AN, BN, or BED are individuals first and foremost, but research shows that the eating disordered tend to share some or all of the following personality traits:
Low self-esteem Perfectionism High achieving Control issues (needing to be in control) Obsessive/compulsive Trouble managing relationships People-pleaser Trouble dealing with/communicating negative feelings or conflict in general Avoidance issues (doesn’t want to grow up, doesn’t want to be sexually attractive)
Non-discrimination Policy
AN, BN, and BED donât care about your sex, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status; eating disorders do not discriminate and show no mercy. Current research is focusing on the role genes play in eating disorders. The thinking is that certain people are more likely-genetically speaking-to develop an eating disorder and will do so if certain environmental factors (a âtriggerâ) exist. When eating disorders take hold, they can cause the following physical conditions:
Gastrointestinal problems Fertility problems Cold intolerance Heart disease, heart failure Dental problems Decrease in bone density, osteoporosis Malnutrition Death, by complications or suicide
Mental/psychological consequences:
Depression Anxiety Self-hatred Addiction Obsession/preoccupation with food, weight, body size/shape/appearance Fear of food Denial Feelings of shame
Social side effects:
Lack of trust in relationships Withdrawal from friends/family Avoidance of social situations involving food
Having an eating disorder is a very isolating experience and a very dangerous disease. Not only does the sufferer feel unworthy of otherâs love and affection, but often canât even enjoy the company of others, or themselves. The fact that sufferers feel deeply uncomfortable and dissatisfied in their own skin and engage in-and even relish-self-destructive behavior reveals the power, pervasiveness, and insidious nature of the illness. Most suffering from eating disorders are well aware of the dangers, yet are powerless to stop the behavior. In fact, for many, the only time they feel in control-having any semblance of power-is when actively making choices to support the eating disorder. In reality, they are not in control; the eating disorder is. They will go to great lengths to âprotectâ their illness by wearing baggy clothes to hide weight gain or loss, pretending to eat food when they havenât, hiding evidence of bingeing, and removing themselves to eat or purge. It is vital that those suffering with eating disorders get professional help. But, again, because of the social stigma and sense of shame, this often doesnât happen. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) cites a statistic from the Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders: âUp to 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder) in the U.S.â Even this huge number does not reflect the countless individuals who simply canât, wonât, donât, tell.
