Depression & Eating Disorders
Depression is a common and serious mood disorder characterized by feelings of intense sadness, worthlessness, anxiety, and guilt. Individuals suffering with depression may use disordered eating behaviors as a way to cope with or numb their negative emotions. Eating disorders commonly co-occur with depression due to their shared risk factors and behavioral similarities.
By: Rebekah Paster
Eating disorders don’t occur in a vacuum. According to NEDA, 32-39% of people with Anorexia Nervosa, 36-50% of people with Bulimia Nervosa, and 33% of people with Binge Eating Disorder also struggle with Major Depressive Disorder.
What are some signs of depression?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some signs of depression can include:
Persistent sadness, anxiousness, or “emptiness”
Feelings of hopelessness
Difficulty concentrating
Restlessness
Fatigue
Changes in sleep patterns
Aches, pains, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause
Thoughts of death or suicide
How do depression and eating disorders affect each other?
One trait that eating disorders and depression share is low self-esteem. A person who is struggling with either condition often feels like they’re “not good enough” and that recovery isn’t worth it. Many people with co-occurring depression and eating disorders feel as if they’ve lost control over their lives, so they often use eating disorder behaviors in order to numb their emotions or to cope with the pain that they’re feeling.
How are depression and nutrition related?
Our nutrition habits affect both our physical and mental health. Depriving our bodies of certain nutrients can make it harder for our brains to work properly. For example, medical research has linked a lack of Vitamin B to symptoms of depression. Although nourishment alone likely won’t cure depression, having enough nutrients like Vitamin B (found in whole grains and nuts, among many other foods) and Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish and seeds) might help reduce some symptoms.
How are co-occurring depression and eating disorders treated?
When a person enters eating disorder treatment, they are screened upon intake for any co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, or PTSD. Clients with co-occurring conditions will be treated for those conditions at the same time that they’re being treated for their eating disorder. In the case of clients with depression, treatment might include treatments such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and/or DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy). In addition, some clients with depression also work with a psychiatrist to help manage symptoms with medication.
Although managing a dual diagnosis of depression and an eating disorder can be overwhelming, recovery is possible. It’s important to find a treatment team that has experience treating both conditions so that the client’s needs are met as effectively as possible. Treatment length can vary from a few weeks to a few years depending on the severity of the client’s symptoms. During the initial session with a treatment provider, the client and clinician will work together to create a treatment plan that best fits the client’s needs, schedule, and budget.
Do you think you or a loved one might have depression and/or an eating disorder?
BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™’s clinical treatment team has extensive experience working with clients who are recovering from depression alongside an eating disorder. Our admissions team is happy to answer any questions about BALANCE’s programs. Read more about our philosophy here or book a free consultation call with our admissions team below to discuss the next steps.
This post was written by BALANCE intern, Rebekah Paster.
Rebekah is a second-year MSW student at the Columbia School of Social Work, where she specializes in Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice. She is passionate about eating disorder recovery and plans to pursue a career in eating disorder treatment after graduation. Outside of school, Rebekah enjoys cooking and mindful movement.