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Abuse and Eating Disorders

© Christina Alwan

Abuse and Eating Disorders

There have been recent studies done showing a correlation between victims of sexual, physical and emotional abuse and eating disorders. However, it is hard to give exact numbers or estimates because so many abuse cases go unreported. Victims of abuse find comfort and safety in their eating disorders, whether it is anorexia, bulimia or compulsive overeating. By using or denying themselves food, they are able to repress or block out the painful memories of the abuse and in a way, numb out the feelings and emotions that come along with the experience. A common question that is asked is, "why do these cases not get reported?" Many victims think that they are somehow at fault for the abuse, that they either caused it by doing or saying something wrong; when in reality they did nothing wrong. Those abused, keep this secret to themselves for a very long time, sometimes they go forever without ever confiding in anyone about it. This is where an eating disorder comes into play. If they focus all their attention onto food and their weight, no one will pressure them to talk about anything else. They have developed a mask or façade for the abuse, by developing an eating disorder. By no means, am I saying that any of this is done on a conscious level.

Many bulimics and compulsive eaters claim that bingeing is their way of symbolically stuffing down the emotions they feel. The comfort and security that comes from the binging in only temporary which is why they may resort to more binging and forms of purging. Food acts as a constant in their life, it is always there; never judging their actions, will never abandon them or leave them feeling worthless like the abusers in their life. Sometimes an eating disorder will become a way that will make them unattractive by appearing either too thin or obese; they will hope to become "ugly" to the abuser which in turn will make the abuse stop. This passive aggressive approach never works; all it does is make the victim more physically weak all the while the abuse continues. Some victims of abuse believe that if they can become thin enough, they will eventually disappear and die. A person who is abused feels a loss of control, an eating disorder helps them regain some of that control, what they don't realize is that the eating disorder is taking the control away from them, not the other way around. Purging is another way for abuse victims to release their emotions. If they believe they cannot tell anyone about the abuse and express the emotions they are experiencing, purging may be the only way they know how to get those feelings out. Many feel relieved and calm after purging, but it is only temporary and that is why the cycle continues.

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