Common Causes of Eating Disorders From Illness Victims & Family Members
The causes of eating disorders are numerous and complex. This article attempts to break down the causes for the reader from individuals who have or work with individuals who have eating disorders. Readers must note that they should not identify with only one of the causes described in this article due to the fact that most eating disorders are caused by numerous factors combined.
Love of Self & Love from Others
One students shared the following: “In addition, my dad works a full time job. I only see him a couple of hours in the evening and on the weekends. My mom also works full time. And my sisters have moved out. So I guess I was feeling left out and alone. The only person I’m really close to in my family is my mother. My dad has only recently tried to get close to me. But it just feels too late. My dad is like a stranger to me.”
Please Listen to Me!
One teen shared the following: “Nobody ever listens to me! nobody! I am always alone and left out! Rejected! My parents loving, caring or were they! No, they didn’t care about me at all! I never fit in even at my own house! Everyone but me! My parents, though, must be very happy! They never wanted me to fit in! I also think that maybe ballet took part in this terrible thing! So much competition to be thin and lean! My dance teacher actually told me that I couldn’t eat after I danced, or before a class because she didn’t want to see what I ate for lunch!”
How Do I Communicate My Feelings?
One female college student shared the following: “I don’t know really what my parents could have done to prevent this other than sitting down with me when I was younger to talk about weight and how it is what matters on the inside. I do know for myself I could have communicated my feelings better, stop the cycle of trying to please everyone else, and actually let myself feel pain and hurt emotions rather than stuffing them inside and letting my eating disorder become my viscous cycle of releasing my emotions.”
