The term “eating disorder” relates to a wide variety of conditions. These are complicated mental health conditions, and while they are challenging to go through, it is vital to recognize that they are not the individual’s fault. There are a multitude of eating disorder causes. For information about the causes of an eating disorder, or for women’s eating disorder treatment, contact Crossroads Maine today by calling 877.978.1667.
About Eating Disorders
An eating disorder is a mental health condition defined by an unhealthy focus on food, weight, and eating. Common eating disorders include:
An eating disorder can affect people of any sex, gender, age, race, socioeconomic class, or ethnicity. While no one knows the precise causes of eating disorders, many experts believe that the condition is the result of a range of biological, environmental, and sociological factors.
Biological Eating Disorder Causes
Research shows that there is a genetic link between family members and eating disorders. For instance, many people have seen eating disorders across multiple generations. In addition, eating disorders are also linked with other mental health conditions, including:
Due to this fact, if you struggle with one or more of these conditions in addition to an eating disorder, you should seek out dual diagnosis treatment at a women’s treatment center. By doing so, you can address both of these conditions simultaneously, giving you the tools to effectively manage your mental health.
Environmental Causes of Eating Disorders
The environment in which you live also plays a critical role in developing eating disorders. For instance, if you’ve experienced traumatic experiences in your family, you may be more likely to develop an eating disorder. Furthermore, if you receive pressure from sports coaches or instructors to look a certain way or to be a specific weight, you may also be more likely to develop an eating disorder. Each of these examples is how your environment can fuel your eating disorder and exacerbate the symptoms. In addition, your condition can also be influenced by your drive for perfectionism and the desire to achieve your personal standard of excellence.
Cultural Causes of Eating Disorders
American culture, specifically, can play a role in causing eating disorders. Each day, movies, TV shows, and magazines share women the message that they need to be strikingly thin to be considered attractive. With these messages about unrealistic body types, beauty, and fad diets, it’s no surprise that many women feel unattractive. Unfortunately, in many cases, this leads many to label foods “good” or “bad,” and to become abnormally obsessed with food, ultimately developing an eating disorder.
Contact Crossroads Maine for Treatment Options Today
Eating disorders have many causes and may be unique for each person. However, they are treatable, especially when you get treatment that is uniquely suited to your needs. At Crossroads Maine, we strive to create individualized treatment programs that specifically address your condition based on your unique situation. Using a variety of evidence-based treatments, we give you the tools you need to manage your condition and ensure that you can enter into long-term recovery. Our treatment options include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
We’ve designed our women’s eating disorder treatment program to address the one-of-a-kind needs of women battling eating disorders and other mental health conditions. We will work with you to ensure that you are able to overcome your condition. Then, you can move boldly into the future. To learn more about the eating disorder causes you may have encountered, contact Crossroads Maine today by calling 877.978.1667.
