The Relationship Between Eating Disorders And Sleep Problems
Each year, the National Sleep Foundation dedicates one week to spreading awareness about the importance of getting enough sleep each night. From March 12-18, they'll continue reinforcing how sleep benefits an individual's well-being. Interestingly, there has also been some research to suggest a possible link between eating disorders and sleep problems.
By: Regina Colie
So, if you or someone you love is struggling with food and body distress, along with sleep, it’s important to understand the relationship between the two.
What Is The Link Between Eating Disorders And Sleep Problems?
According to the Sleep Foundation, studies have shown that eating disorders and sleep share a "bidirectional relationship." A study involving over 500 college-aged women found that 25-30% of the population diagnosed with an eating disorder had insomnia symptoms. Other research shows that those with anorexia or binge eating disorder have higher rates of low-quality sleep, disruptions during the night, and less time in REM sleep stages. While additional studies are required to fully explain the relationship between eating disorders and rest, the research available supports their connection.
What Causes These Sleep Problems?
There are still many unknowns surrounding why individuals experience issues with sleep when faced with an eating disorder. However, there are a few possibilities. According to Within Health, they discuss how food patterns and nutritional qualities impact individuals' amount of sleep each night. "Not eating enough food results in the brain not getting enough energy to function properly and vitamin and mineral deficiencies that hinder the body's production of hormones that regulate sleep" (Within Health, 2022). Behaviors related to eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and medications may also affect sleep's impact on those with eating disorders. In a personal essay written by Frances Coleman-Williams, she describes her experiences with anorexia and having difficulty falling and staying asleep each night. "The more surreal dreams would include people using covert ways to get food into me, for example putting 'dissolvable calories' in my shower water and the common eating disorder fear of being able to absorb calories through my skin via osmosis." (Coleman-Williams, 2019). These factors combined create a continual issue with insufficient sleep each night, leading to insomnia.
How Can I Get Help?
There are several ways that someone experiencing both sleep problems and an eating disorder can get treatment. The first step would be to speak with your doctor, psychologist, or treatment team about the symptoms you're experiencing. Changing your sleep routine is the best way to help with sleep issues. Some ways to do this are using the exact times to wake up and go to sleep, not using screens at least thirty minutes before bed, and ensuring your sleep won't be interrupted by any light, noise, or room temperature. And for those who may be experiencing night eating syndrome, the use of light therapy might be beneficial for those who are struggling with seasonal affective disorder.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating and body image issues. In addition to our full-time Day Treatment Program and Weeknight Intensive Outpatient Program, we offer high-quality programming, nutrition counseling with a licensed dietitian, meal support, and various other groups and resources to help those seeking help for food concerns.
Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Book a free consultation call with our admissions team below, or read more about our philosophy here.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Regina Colie (she/her).
Regina Colie is currently pursuing her Masters in General Psychology at The New School For Social Research. She is interested in working with women who have eating disorders and postpartum depression. Upon her graduation from Marymount Manhattan College, she had the opportunity to be published in Dr. Nava Silton’s book, The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child, Adolescent, and Adult Development. Her previous work has been featured in Project HEAL, BALANCE, Olive Branch Nutrition, and Nourishing NY.
References
Aspen V;Weisman H;Vannucci A;Nafiz N;Gredysa D;Kass AE;Trockel M;Jacobi C;Wilfley DE;Taylor CB; (n.d.). Psychiatric co-morbidity in women presenting across the continuum of disordered eating. Eating behaviors. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25462028/
Unpacking Anorexia and Insomnia. (2022, November 4). Within Health. Retrieved March 5, 2023, from https://withinhealth.com/learn/articles/unpacking-anorexia-and-insomnia
Coleman-Williams, F. (2019, December 12). Sleep and eating disorders: how anorexia haunted my dreams. Metro. https://metro.co.uk/2018/02/07/sleep-and-eating-disorders-how-anorexia-haunted-my-dreams-7278398/