Parallel Mental Health Problems Make Eating Disorder Treatment More Complex
It's an unfortunate statistic: Women are much more likely to be anxious or depressed (and even suicidal) than men. As you may know, depression, anxiety, and a number of other mental health issues are common problems in those with eating disorders.
The reason for the gender disparity isn't clear (though with many mental health issues, there are multiple factors in play). A core problem in addressing mental health problems in women is the lingering attitude that emotional disturbances are more likely because women are more emotional in general, and that there's not much we can do about it.
But there are more influences on women than simple emotional tendencies. The Department of Health and Human Services reports that 40% of women experience some form of sexual violence (no typo there - the rate is 10% for men). Are the mental health issues related? It's too easy to point to individual statistics and try to say that one problem is the cause and a given mental health problem is the effect. That's sloppy reasoning. But what we do have to consider is that, given the statistics, women with eating disorders are likely to have other problems that may complicate treatment. And dealing with a person's whole experience (regardless of gender) is key in fostering lasting, healthy change.
- How sexual abuse and other trauma can give eating problems traction
- Eating disorder statistics
- Do you have an eating disorder?
| | Add to Technorati Favorites | Newsletter Signup | Eating Disorders Forum | |
Comments
Hi Matthew,
Reading your article inspired me to leave a comment in relation to some statistics which I came across last week:
It is estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder – seven million women and one million men.
One in 200 American women suffers from anorexia
Two to three in 100 American women suffers from bulimia.
Nearly half of all Americans personally know someone with an eating disorder – One in five Americans suffer from mental illnesses.
A study by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reported that 5 – 10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease; 18-20% of anorexics will be dead after 20 years and only 30 – 40% ever fully recovers.
And a devastating 1 in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment.
Thank you
Regards
Gary Graye
Thanks, Gary. This site also provides a host of statistics for readers who would like a comprehensive look.
I have been diagnosed with Anxiety and Chronic Depression, and I use food as a comforting tool. Sometimes, this is okay, like when I eat a whole “thing” of strawberries. A lot of the time, however, I don’t choose something very healthy at all, opting for Domino’s. They deliver so I don’t have to show the world how puffy and red my face is after crying every evening.
I want to be thin, and have tried throwing up, but I can’t afford to put food directly into the toilet. In my mind, the equation looks like this:
Being Thin = Never lonely, and always wanted and loved by others. Being overweight = Being nothing.
I can relate to Kirstie Ally’s [sp?] self-body-hating ways… At least she’s wealthy so someone will always want to be around her.
Hey, Truck. It sounds as though you have that disordered eating soundtrack running through your mind. Depression can certainly fuel that, too. I wonder how you came to the conclusion that being “overweight” means being nothing, or that being thin means never being lonely. I’ve seen lots of clients who are plenty lonely, and their size doesn’t seem to matter. While someone will probably always want to be around Kirstie Alley because she is who she is, there’s also someone out there who will always want to be around you because you are who you are. Sounds kind of pie-in-the-sky, maybe, but I’ve learned that body size just isn’t the determining factor.