Causes of Binge Eating Disorder

Bulimia

Causes of Binge Eating Disorder

There Is No Single Cause of Binge Eating Disorder

It is important to understand that binge eating disorder does not start with any single brain chemical, gene or set of circumstances. However, a set of contributing factors is common across many sufferers.

How Does Binge Eating Disorder Begin?

Personality may have the largest part to play in binge eating disorder, as sufferers often exhibit similar personality traits. Typically, an all-or-nothing, perfectionist approach defines their attitude towards food and their bodies. They tend to become easily disheartened with any perceived lapse in their own ‘rules’.

Many sufferers also report feelings of loneliness and isolation. However, most find that their depression and loneliness lift as the disorder is overcome, so these may in fact be brought on by the bingeing.

Western society tells us that thin is beautiful. The fashion industry tells women, in particular, that they must never exceed a certain size. This prompts some people, particularly young women, to become shape-fixated. For a person who is naturally heavier, their ‘battle’ against weight has failed before it has begun.

The many diets and food theories in the media also contribute to the food-fixation of many sufferers. Often, avoidance of particular foods takes as much time and energy as bingeing does. With a generally unhealthy approach to food, sufferers see certain foods as ‘forbidden’, and only eat these foods as part of a binge.

Family attitudes towards food and shape may have an effect. A mother with a food disorder is statistically more likely to have a daughter with a food disorder. On a similar note, genetics may play a part. If one identical twin has binge eating disorder, then chances are high that the other one will as well. This is not the case amongst regular siblings. However, caution should be used when drawing conclusions about inheritance or family, as there are a huge number of interrelated factors, including upbringing, environment, genetics and nutrition. Not every aspect has been studied in detail.

Finally, many sufferers report that their disorder began with a major life change. Moving out from home, tragic circumstances or the end of a relationship causes feelings of anxiety and loss of control, which leads sufferers to binge.

What Makes Binge Eating Disorder Continue?

A food fixation means that sufferers are either bingeing, feeling guilty about bingeing, or thinking about how to avoid bingeing. Guilt can rapidly turn to depression, and consolation is again sought in food. Trying to avoid bingeing can mean an anxiety attack (which is also likely to cause a binge), or the sufferer may throw themselves into excessive exercise and dieting. This means that the body becomes desperate for food – any food – leading to yet another binge. These patterns are what make binge eating disorder such a destructive cycle. It seems that any way a sufferer turns, they are driven to binge again.

Low self-esteem and depression also drive the bingeing cycle. Evidence suggests that bingeing disrupts the brain chemistry. Ironically, this leads to another negative feedback loop where the sufferer feels progressively worse and worse. Bingeing also causes excessive weight gain in about fifty percent of sufferers, further impacting on their poor body image.