2020 is the most traumatic year so far in this century that has drastically affected the world. It caused too much anxiety in people that they have started experiencing a variety of psychological disturbances, like eating disorders.
According to a previous report from the Science Times, rehabilitation centers said there had been an unusual increase of patients diagnosed with eating disorders during the quarantine and isolation periods of the pandemic.
Moreover, a study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that symptoms of depression among American adults have tripled during the pandemic. Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety can exacerbate eating disorders or prompt a relapse for those who were already once cured of the disorder.
Below are the potential triggers that prompt eating disorders and how to take care of oneself. But first, here are the major types of eating disorders.
Types of Eating Disorders
- Anorexia nervosa- is an eating disorder in which the person avoids food, by restricting oneself from eating or eats a very small amount of certain foods. They view themselves as someone overweight even if they are already severely underweight.
- Bulimia nervosa- its starts with binge-eating followed by compensatory behavior like vomiting using a laxative, or too much physical exercise. Bulimic people could be underweight, has an appropriate weight, or overweight.
- Binge-eating disorder- The most common eating disorder in the US, wherein the person eats too much beyond the feeling of being full.
(For complete criteria of each disorder, please see DSM-V by the American Psychiatric Association.)
Read Also: Rehab Centers Report Surge in Eating Disorder Cases During the Pandemic
Potential Triggers of Eating Disorders
Work from home gives easy access to the kitchen
According to Gail Saltz, M.D., a clinical associate professor of psychiatry, patients with eating disorders have been complaining of feelings of isolation, and having been forced to work from home gives them easy access to the kitchen. This is no good news as they can spiral into unhealthy eating habits.
She added that the feeling of being near the fridge unfettered makes them feel at risk, so they resort to drastic measures to manage that feeling.
Experts advise trying to keep in touch with family and friends or any support system and be honest to them.
Seeing empty grocery shelves
When people see empty grocery shelves, they feel anxious, thinking that there might be no food left for them or that they might not be able to buy what they wanted. As result, they hoard food that potentially turns into a vicious cycle. Besides, people recovering might not find it acceptable in their routine of accepting what's left on the shelves.
To cope up with this anxiety, experts suggest going to supermarkets with a support system.
Endless use of social media
Scrolling through social media could be addicting. The more a person spends time on it the more they are drawn to it and find it harder to escape.
But it could be detrimental to mental health especially with so many negative things posted on social media, which could trigger anxiety that could lead to eating disorders.
It is better to block these applications or websites to avoid getting any information from them or set a tie limit or schedule of the only allowable time you could use social media.
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