Often other disorders can occur at the same time complicating an eating disorder like Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating.  The most common associated disorder is depression.  Depression is defined as someone who is exhibiting a depressed mood, sadness, hopelessness, discouragement and a general feeling of being down.  A person suffering from depression usually has a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to bring them enjoyment.  They have a sense of worthlessness or guilt.  Family members often report noticing that the person has withdrawn socially. Sleep disturbances are also common with the person either having difficulty falling asleep or oversleeping. Decreased energy, tiredness and fatigue follow. In depression this state is not transitory and usually lasts at least two weeks.

Individuals with eating disorders like Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating may also be affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Depersonalization Disorder as a result of having experienced abuse. PTSD is the development of characteristic symptoms following personal exposure to a traumatic stressor.  As a result of the exposure, the person experiences intense fear, anxiety and helplessness. Commonly the person has recurrent recollections of the event that are intrusive in nature. Intense psychological distress can occur when the individual is exposed to triggering events that resemble or symbolize the original trauma. Depersonalization disorder can also occur along with a history of abuse. With Depersonalization disorder the individual has a generalized feeling of being detached or estranged from themselves. For an individual with this disorder there is often a sensation of almost being an outside observer of one’s own thought process and/or body.

Approximately 25 percent of individuals who suffer from eating disorders like Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating also participate in self harming behavior. The practice of an eating disorder may also be considered self harming behavior.  Self harm is defined as the act of causing self injury to one’s own body.  Self harm is also referred to as self injury, self abuse, self inflicted violence, self mutilation and para suicide.  Similar to eating disordered behavior, the self harming behavior is participated in to help the individual cope with, take control of, block out and release unwanted feelings and emotions.  The most common act of self harm is cutting.  Self harming individuals usually inflict injury on their wrists, upper arms and inner thighs.  The location of body marking is often in a place that can be hidden to avoid detection by others.  To find out more please visit our Self Harm page.

Substance abuse and eating disorders often go hand-in-hand.  The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that one half of individuals who suffer from an eating disorder like Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating regularly abuse alcohol or illicit drugs.  This compares to nine percent for the general population.

These conditions, in conjunction with an eating disorder like Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating, increase the necessity for an intensive treatment experience which is individualized and multidisciplinary in approach.  Rader Programs offers just such a treatment and its staff are experts in and understands how these disorders can interact with an eating disorder.