The Connection Between Trauma and Eating Disorder

A traumatic event is anything that overwhelms a person's ability to cope, and trauma is the response to that deeply disturbing or distressing event. Trauma can come in all forms, and as such, can cause various effects on people. It can affect one's mental health, relationships, performance at work, or school and can even cause self-destructive behavior patterns like eating disorders. This is why any treatment plan for bulimia nervosa or anorexia must include a trauma-informed approach. Here are some ways trauma can trigger an eating disorder and what kinds of help and resources are available to those who need it.

The numbers

Multiple studies have shown that eating disorders are not primarily or entirely about food, but rather a way for the patient to find control. Since many traumatic experiences can cause us to feel powerless or out of control, eating disorders, by nature, have emotional roots that need to be addressed. A study found that the vast majority of men and women reported a history of interpersonal trauma. The most significant conclusion is that the number of people who suffered from eating disorders was generally higher in people who had a history of trauma and PTSD.

The link

More research needs to be conducted to know why the exact mechanism for why trauma and PTSD contribute to forming an eating disorder, but what we can know is that trauma can disrupt our nervous system. Trauma can be stored in the body, affecting our ability to manage our emotions and responses when we find ourselves triggered. Since not everyone has the tools to cope with trauma in healthy ways, many turn to self-destructive behaviors to manage these uncomfortable emotions.

The treatment

Since eating disorders are medical and psychological, there should be a reliable medical treatment for people suffering from them. The treatment must be led by qualified professionals who can help assess the conditions and the circumstances that may have affected the diseases' development and progression. The path to recovery begins with a thorough psychiatric and medical assessment. When the results have been gathered, a team that includes a primary therapist, registered dietitian, family therapist, psychiatrist, and a specialist on eating disorders are collected to help the patient achieve their goals towards long-term recovery.

Thankfully, researchers and psychologists have been hard at work to find trauma-informed approaches to therapy and care. Being trauma-informed entails understanding and considering the pervasive nature of traumatic events and promoting nurturing environments of recovery and healing rather than services and practices that may only cause to re-traumatize the patient. This includes the following core principles:

• Safety, which enforces the idea that the patient is emotionally and physically free from harm during the treatment. In practice, it means that privacy is respected and the community is welcoming.           

• Choice, which gives back agency and control to the patient. They're provided an appropriate and clear message about their rights and responsibilities.          

• Collaboration, which entails sharing power with individuals and giving them a significant role in planning and evaluating services.           

• Trustworthiness, which promotes respectful and professional interpersonal boundaries, clarity, and consistency.

• Empowerment, which aims to encourage patients to use helpful and healthy tools for coping and building skills. The trauma-informed approach to empowerment means providing an atmosphere that gives patients validation and affirmation every time they meet with their primary caregivers.

Help is available for anyone who needs it. There are plenty of qualified treatment centers that can help address your needs in an environment where you can feel safe while reaching full recovery. So don't hesitate to ask for help and believe that better days are ahead.