Eating Disorders and Abuse
There seems to be a definite correlation between physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse and the sufferers of Eating Disorders. According to studies, a relatively high percent report that they have suffered from some sort of abuse in their lives. This is, of course, not to say that all people suffering with Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Eating have been abused, but a number of sufferers admit that some type of abuse played a direct and/or indirect part in the development of their Eating Disorder.
Children and victims of domestic abuse that are repeatedly struck, either with a hand, fist, foot, belt, wooden spoon, yard stick, or other object feel powerless and afraid. Hands that are meant for loving suddenly become contradictory weapons used for hurting. The people who are supposed to love and protect now turn on them in fits of rage and hurt them most.
Women and children who are berated with insults, vehemently controlled and isolated from others, who are told they are stupid and worthless, who are neglected, forgotten and/or abandoned have a nagging sense of self-hate and as though they don't deserve to be loved. Caring words of love, affection, support and pride become daggers in the heart.
In both cases, the victim may grow to have a need to push people away who make any attempt at closeness. They generally have a low self-esteem and feel a distrust of others, a lack of control and/or a feeling of being trapped.
The victims of physical and emotional abuse, and domestic violence can end up feeling like things are always their fault, like they deserve what they get, and like they never do anything right. They often question themselves when making decisions, obsessively wondering if it is the right one, or may be incapable of making decisions on their own. They may continuously ask if they did okay, if the look okay, if what they said was okay, in a desperate need for acceptance and approval. Very often the victim of abuse has a very low sense of self-worth and may feel a lack of control over their life.
Children who have been abused more often end up in relationships where they are abused. Victims of domestic abuse often repeatedly get back into similar situations of abuse. Both come to the conclusion that hitting and emotional assault equals love, and that this must be what they deserve. Both can suffer with depression, anxiety, drug addiction, alcoholism and eating disorders.
In an attempt to gain control victims of abuse may try to drastically control their weight. There may be a sense that if they were thinner it would make the abuser happy and they would stop hurting them. They may starve themselves of food over the feeling that they don't deserve anything good. They may attempt to fill a void they feel inside by eating, or may look to a binge as a way to stuff down their hurt and anger. They may see food as their only friend, the one that won't turn on them -- or -- they may look to control their surroundings through the only means that seems possible, by restricting their food intake. Victims may purge to release their emotions, or to punish themselves for enjoying something they don't feel they deserve (food, love). Food can become a weapon to gain control and a friend that won't hurt them. It can also be a way to forget the pain......
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