Eating Disorders and Brain Damage

One thing that people tend to overlook and be in denial over is brain damage caused by severe restriction. Often we dont notice it, we just think we cant concentrate because were tired, or irritable because were hungry, or high on a fast because were in control, or were depressed because were fat - but this is the beginnings of brain damage.

Early on in anorexia brain scans and tests show the brain shrinks, there are HOLES where the brain has been eaten away for energy, the brain has physical defects, IQ lowers, memory worsens and concentration falls. The brain is the first organ to be damaged by an eating disorder; the worse the restriction the worse the brain damage.

Restriction causes most of the ED symptoms - distorted body image, fear of weight gain, obsession with food etc. Some of these symptoms are present before the restriction, but its restriction that worsens them into a clinical ED, kinda like the restriction flicks a switch in the brain. Restriction of some type (intentional or accidental) - whether its a diet, stomach bug, depression-induced appetite loss, drug-induced-appetite loss, appetite loss from grief, can induce an ED.

The vast majority of people with EDs have clinical level depression, which is one part of the brain damage. Anorexics are 56 times more likely to commit suicide than the average person. Often depression occurs first and can play a part in the start of the ED, and the ED makes the depression worse. Someone with depression and an ED cannot fully recover from their depression unless they seek treatment for their ED too.

Many people with EDs get a feeling of euphoria when they are fasting or restricting, or bingeing and purgeing. This is a form of brain damage where the brain becomes addicted to endorphins which are released when you indulge in these behaviours. The endorphins have an affect similar to heroin causing pleasure, less pain and less stress.

On another level severe brain damage can be caused by electrolyte imbalances, fits and heart problems caused by the ED which cause the brain to be starved of oxygen.

The main part of any anorexia and bulimia treatment is refeeding - making sure the person has enough calories for their brain to recover to some extent.

When people start to slowly increase their calories to healthy levels and lose weight gradually, the first thing they tend to notice is feeling happier. They then start to have reduced feelings of depression and anxiety, and their ED symptoms lessen significantly. Theyre also in less physical danger (muscle loss, electrolyte imbalances etc) and are still losing weight and can become thin, happy, and able to see and enjoy it.