45% of sufferers with Anorexia and Bulimia make a full recovery, whilst many others can improve considerably
79% of families affected by eating disorders suffer lasting damage. 12% get the support they need
Eating Disorders are responsible for more loss of life than any other type of psychiatric illness
An eating disorder can affect anyone at any age, from any cultural background
Eating disorders have increased over the last 30 – 40 years
Many cases go undiagnosed due to not reporting: shame, secrecy, deniablity
The Factors contributing to possible triggers of an eating disorder:
Negative evaluations of self (“I am bad / worthless / boring / stupid / failure” etc)
Negative evaluations of others (“other people don’t care / understand me”)
Feelings of shame and guilt
Lack of identity / sense of self (“eating disorder has become who I am, it is all I know”)
Individual Temperament / early experiences (vulnerability, shyness, over weight child / adolescent, etc)
Family dynamics (‘enmeshment’ with parent, eating disorder in parent, high standards, sibling rivalry etc)
Bereavement / Trauma
Personality traits (‘child-like’ perfectionism. obsessiveness, competitiveness, impulsiveness etc)
Media / social pressure
Gender
Onset of puberty
Acute stress
Dieting and exercise
Common personality traits
Perfectionism
Obsessiveness
High achievers
Competitiveness