Eating Disorders Are Rising: An Alarming Global Crisis

The concerns regarding the increasing rates of eating disorders, especially post-pandemic, are becoming quite common. The rise in eating disorders needs to be addressed so that several lives can be saved. As per research, the disorder can develop due to a lot of reasons, such as the ‘pressure to look a certain way’ and ‘maintaining social media presence’.

The risk of developing can also increase because of any already existing mental health concern, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. There are different types of eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

It is important to identify the correct eating disorder symptoms and differentiate the types of eating disorders to develop a treatment plan for the same.

The Shocking Statistics: How Bad Has It Gotten?

According to recent trends, the number of people getting diagnosed and seeking hospital admission for eating disorders has increased over the years. With the reports stating a higher number, it becomes essential to shed light on the need of the hour, that is, identifying the root cause and supporting those diagnosed with an eating disorder.

Pre-Pandemic vs. Current Numbers

With the onset of the pandemic, a lot of concerns increased and among those are mental health concerns as well. According to research (J. Devoe et al., 2023) 36% studies showed an increase in the symptoms of eating disorders during the pandemic.

Some of the common eating disorders in which rise has been observed include anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorders and bulimia nervosa.

Age Groups Most Affected by the Surge

According to a lot of studies, adolescents are at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder. This includes individuals in the age group of 13 to 19 years. Some individual-specific causes of eating disorders can include decreased self-esteem, perfectionism tendency, stressful life events and some specific social media content.

It should be noted that while these factors may make one more prone towards developing eating disorders, it is not necessary that if someone is experiencing the causes of eating disorders, they will develop them as well. There can be a lot of other factors that can influence the diagnosis of an eating disorder.

What's Driving This Dangerous Trend?

Some risk factors that have been commonly observed in the rising trend of eating disorders include:

1. Adolescent age group
2. Female sex
3. Hereditary factors
4. Borderline Personality Disorder

The causes of eating disorders may vary from person to person.

Social Media's Toxic Influence on Body Image

Social media has become a major part of today’s youth, and during the pandemic, it also became a source for connecting. While the source can be helpful, mindful use of social media is recommended to prevent its influence on promoting a certain type of physique and thereby influencing the idea of body image negatively.

Pandemic Stress and Isolation Effects

During the pandemic, a lot of individuals felt an increase in the level of stress, and therefore, stress-eating could have begun. Individuals living on their own may also have felt extreme loneliness due to a lack of social connections.

A lot of individuals who live alone may have felt extreme isolation, which can lead to emotional eating as well. The isolation and stress can lead to higher chances of emotional eating and feeling guilty afterwards.

Diet Culture and Wellness Obsession

While it is important to focus on a healthy diet, one cannot force one’s body such that the energy to perform activities of daily living cannot be felt. Individuals with anorexia nervosa may suffer from a lot of other diseases as well due to excessive obsession with weight loss.

Recognizing the Warning Signs Before It's Too Late

Recognising the eating disorder symptoms at an early stage can help in seeking professional support on time. The purpose of identifying these warning signs is:

1. Encouraging the individual to seek support timely manner
2. An effective treatment plan can be developed earlier
3. The risk of many diseases can be prevented with earlier identification and treatment

Physical Red Flags You Can't Ignore

1. Extreme fluctuations in weight that can be sudden at times
2. Feeling lethargic even after sufficient rest
3. Dizziness and light-headedness
4. Complaints regarding bowel movements
5. Menstrual irregularities can also be observed among females

Behavioral Changes That Signal Trouble

1. Frequently skipping or avoiding meals
2. Lying about eating, for eg, eating alone or hiding food
3. Hoarding of food and eating massive amounts all at once
4. Constantly checking body weight and measurements

The Hidden Signs of High-Functioning Eating Disorders

1. A feeling of immense pressure and trying to cope on one’s own
2. Feeling guilty, embarrassed because of what and how much one ate
3. Feeling conscious about one’s appearance and body image

It is important to be mindful that all the above-mentioned warning signs are not for diagnostic purposes. Please reach out to a trained psychiatrist or clinical psychologist for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

The Ripple Effect: How Rising Rates Impact Everyone

The rising rate of eating disorders is important to be noticed by society as a whole, so actionable steps can be taken to reduce these concerns.

Overwhelmed Treatment Systems

With the increasing cases of eating disorders and hospital admissions for the same, one might find it challenging to find a suitable mental healthcare partner. If you or a loved one is also going through a similar struggle, then you can explore Athena OKAS, which is a mental health center for females only.

We offer an individualised treatment plan for each client to ensure the client gets complete attention from mental health professionals!

Family and Community Consequences

The family members and caregivers can also experience stress because of a particular family member who is diagnosed with an eating disorder. At Athena OKAS, we involve family members also in the treatment process through detailed psychoeducation, family therapy sessions and support groups for community empowerment.

Economic Burden on Healthcare

Mental health treatment can at times lead to financial strain, and here are some strategies you can explore to minimise the economic burden:

1. Insurance coverage
2. Sliding scale options
3. Pro-bono consultations

Taking Action: What We Can Do Right Now

According to research, the prevalence of eating disorders is often higher in females than in males. If you or a loved one wants to seek support from a female-centric mental health facility, then you must check out Athena OKAS, which is specially designed to cater to women’s mental health needs.

Prevention Strategies That Actually Work

1. Promoting body positivity
2. Modelling healthy behaviour
3. Strengthening self-esteem

Supporting Someone You Suspect Has an Eating Disorder

You can support someone who may have an eating disorder in the following ways:

1. Encourage them to seek therapy sessions
2. Listen to them without judgment and with acceptance
3. Try to identify the type of support they are seeking

During this process of supporting a loved one, it is also essential that you take care of your mental health as well!

Building Better Mental Health Resources

At Athena OKAS, we make constant efforts to help you explore mental health resources through the following ways:

1. Integrated support system (psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, counsellors, etc)
2. Encouraging support group sessions
3. Teaching coping skills as per your needs and concerns
4. Experts stay updated with the latest research for evidence-based support

Connect with our team of professionals, and let’s embark on a journey of developing a healthier being together. Call us today at +91 9289086193, and it would be our privilege to support you!