Do eating disorders run in families? Many studies have focused on finding the cause of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. Research has determined that for some eating disorders, there are several risk factors or components that increase your chances of developing conditions like anorexia, whereas for other disorders, the biggest risk factor is your family genetics, like binge eating disorder.
This means that if you have a close biological relative who struggles with a particular eating disorder, there may be a higher chance that you will develop it as well. Now, in some cases, this could be simply the result of exposure to these eating habits throughout childhood, whereas in other cases, there might be an actual genetic component.
No matter the cause, it’s important to get help for a recognized eating disorder immediately so that symptoms do not worsen and put you at risk for severe health complications or secondary mental health disorders.
Help for Eating Disorders with Remedy Therapy Center
If you are looking for help for yourself or someone in your family, our team can provide residential care for eating disorders. Our goal is to start with physical and mental health by providing a medical assessment and creating customized nutrition plans. These plans ensure that your nutritional and hydration needs are met and any interventions are conducted where needed.
From there, one-on-one therapy and group sessions combine things like experiential therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and Body Image therapy to give clients a range of tools.
- The first set of tools is a deeper understanding of how eating disorders work and what individual causes or triggers might be, such as genetics
- The second set of tools is a deeper understanding of the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and eating behaviors
- The third set of tools is strategies and techniques for handling things like difficult emotions, challenging family relationships, or any other triggers without turning to harmful eating habits
With Remedy Therapy Center, our team can help you regardless of whether eating disorders run in your family.
Do eating disorders run in families? Yes, they often do. There are genetic risk factors that can increase your chances of developing an eating disorder, but there are many other environmental and temperamental factors that can as well. No matter the cause, if you or someone close to you is struggling with an eating disorder, we can help.
Call our team today at (844) 451-3303 to learn more.
FAQ
Does Binge Eating Disorder Run in Families?
According to the DSM, binge eating disorder does appear to run in families, which means that there could be a genetic influence. As such, if you have a family member with binge eating disorder, you may be at a higher risk of developing it yourself.
Does Anorexia Run in Families?
Studies have found that there are several risk factors for anorexia, including environmental and temperamental risk factors. However, the most substantial risk factors for developing anorexia are genetic, which means that if you have biological relatives with anorexia nervosa, you may be more likely to develop it yourself or other eating disorders.
Does Bulimia Run in Families?
Bulimia has several risk factors, including temperamental factors like depressive symptoms or social anxiety disorder, environmental factors, and genetic factors. Studies indicate that childhood obesity or early puberty maturation can increase the risk of bulimia nervosa, and there is a potential for a genetic vulnerability, meaning that if you have a family member with bulimia, you may be more likely to develop it yourself, especially if other factors like temperament, environment, or childhood obesity are at play.
If Eating Disorders Run in Families, Will I Get One?
Just because eating disorders do tend to run in families and have a genetic component to them, does not mean that you will automatically develop an eating disorder. In fact, there are many other factors that can influence the likelihood of developing an eating disorder. However, if you notice an eating disorder in yourself or someone else in your family, our team can help.
What Kind of People are Prone to Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are more likely in people who have a parent or sibling with an eating disorder, in some cases because of the observed eating behaviors in the household or learned traits, and in others because of a genetic component.
However, people struggling with undiagnosed trauma or other mental health disorders are also at risk of developing eating disorders.
What Can Trigger an Eating Disorder?
There are many potential causes of eating disorders, such as mental health problems, family members with eating disorders, participation in sports at a young age that have a heavy focus on weight, like wrestling or gymnastics, as well as poor body image. All of these factors can be addressed with the right type of treatment. Things like body image therapy at our facility can give a deeper understanding of the impact the media can have, or family relationships can have on eating habits.
What are The Warning Signs of Eating Disorders?
If someone you care about is experiencing dramatic weight loss, if they avoid eating with other people, if they eat very slowly to try and mask how little or they are eating, or if they are lying about their eating habits, they might be struggling with an eating disorder like anorexia similarly if they avoid eating with people or are eating substantial amounts in front of you and then excusing themselves right after they might be struggling with binge-related eating behaviors for bulimia or binge eating disorder.
If you suspect that someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, call our team to learn how we can help.