Written by Anika Gurijala
Edited by Vanshi Kumar
Numerous issues often cause eating disorders: mental causes, societal pressures, and even influences from the media. Factors like these contribute to roadblocks to recovering and accepting oneself. Examples of common eating disorders include anorexia or bulimia. Often, the ability of individuals who possess these disorders is undermined due to unrealistic expectations and standards the world has created, as well as self-degradation due to factors like shame and guilt. Therefore, how do we expect the strong self-recovery of people with eating disorders?
First, the societal norms people associate with beauty, especially women, include perfect sizes and bodies that exceed standard and realistic body types. Social media and posters consume many people, making them believe idealistic expectations are the only way to live. This will cause people to develop a drive that would cause them to attempt to achieve an unattainable figure, essentially worsening their eating disorder or pausing their journey to recovery.
Personal degradation, such as guilt and shame, also contribute to the lack of self-acceptance. The majority regarding eating disorders struggle with body dysphoria and the decisions regarding the food they consume. This causes them to feel immense guilt for not matching up to societal standards or even standards set by close friends and family. People will continue to be quiet because they will not have the correct resources to address these feelings of guilt, as the main way to deal with such feelings is to open up, essentially ensuring that people do not accept themselves the way they are or work on themselves.
Psychological feelings and disorders are prevalent among those associated with any eating disorder. These disorders may range from mild to severe but still contribute to numerous insecurities that arise in oneself. For example, emotional dysregulation—difficulty in managing a strong feeling of intense emotions—can pause recovery by multiple means and be crucial to be fixed before recovery takes place. However, some disorders can be as common as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, developing coping techniques step by step or slowly seeking help can lessen the effects of these comorbidities. Coping techniques include listening to music, reading, or participating in your favorite hobbies.
Regarding treatment, groups of people may be unable to access treatment like therapy or medicines due to financial needs or required aid. There are a lot of socioeconomic factors associated with the expenses of treatment that are vital for recovery so people with eating disorders do not worsen or fall back onto their old path. However, these socioeconomic factors include race, financial wellness, and much more that is not considered. However, advocating for something as important as treatment and resources by breaking down institutional, systematic walls is crucial to increasing awareness and the number of those wanting recovery.
Lack of supporting environments like family members or friends may also threaten recovery in numerous people with eating disorders. Disrespectful comments or degradation by people close to someone may cause significant adverse changes in diets or the lifestyle of people who once were healthy. However, introducing boundaries to loved ones as well as educating them on the serious topic of mental health can cause people to live peacefully with friends or family.
Essentially, there are numerous roadblocks to eating disorders, and this list merely scratches the surface. To aid in the navigation of the journey of recovery, we must break down these barriers that are possible to fix because the road to recovery is tough, and we as people should not make it tougher on ourselves or those surrounding us who suffer from the consequences of eating disorders.
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