Emotional difficulties play a key role in eating disorders. Critically discuss this claim with reference to relevant literature.

Emotional Difficulties and Eating Disorders Name Institution Course Code and Title Instructor Date Introduction It is typical for individuals to have an eating disorder which is associated with emotional difficulties. This assertion is well covered in literature and has been looked at extensively in researches that have investigated how emotions can prompt eating disorders. Eating disorders are mental health problems where one uses food as an emotional coping mechanism (Smith et al., 2018). Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa and Binge eating are examples of these (Smith et al., 2018). They are typified by abnormal eating behaviors and a distorted body image. People with these conditions often demonstrate extreme behaviours that relate to food and weight control, resulting in severe physical and psychological consequences. This essay will delve into the relationship between emotional difficulties and eating disorders based on relevant literature. Eating Disorders Anorexia It is characterized by an extreme avoidance to add weight and an altered body image. It may include seriously malnourished eating disorders with ritualistic behaviours (Dobrescu et al., 2020). If not controlled, It can lead to significant weight loss, malnutrition, and various health risks. Bulimia nervosa It involves repeated binge eating followed by forced vomiting that is self-induced, the use of laxatives, and excessive exercise patterns (Wade, 2019). The individual might appear to be normal in size, but this process of binging and purging can result in serious health problems. Normally, it is accompanied by remorse and disgrace. Binge Eating It entails excessive food intake over a short period of time (Hilbert, 2019). Contrary to bulimia, there are no compensatory behaviours, such as vomiting. BED can make individuals obese and develop numerous other health problems due to excessive calorie intake. Emotional Difficulties The interplay between feelings and eating problems manifests the complicated nature of this phenomenon. On the other hand, troubled emotions can instigate unhealthy eating traits since people look for ways to handle or suppress strong sentiments (Keel, 2017). On the flip side, the emotional distress that follows can be intensified by the physical and social consequences of eating disorders. It is a cyclical model where the psychological state exacerbates biological factors that, in turn, produce a psychological condition. Different individuals may have different emotional problems causing eating disorders; thus, it is paramount to note that these diseases have many dimensions. Common emotional difficulties associated with developing eating disorders include Low Self-Esteem. For instance, such persons could harbour low self-worth and negative self-perceptions about themselves, thereby prompting them to curb their body shape and weight so that they can feel worthy and accomplished (Keel, 2017). Disordered eating may be caused by another emotional problem, which is the drive for perfectionism when an individual expects so much from themselves that they fear failure. This may also lead to the incidence of eating disorders as they aim at being perfect in terms of body image. Eating Disorders may also arise from having a negative body image. Sharpe et al. (2018) states that people with a negative body image have a negative perception of their bodies, leading them into unhealthy eating habits such as starving themselves or exercising excessively. Equally high levels of stress and anxiety might also trigger or worsen eating disorders as individuals try to find ways of coping with overwhelming emotions (Trottier & MacDonald, 2017). Some people would eat less or eat more in order to manage the stress they are facing. In addition, Eating disorders may be one of the consequences of depression, a state commonly characterized by chronic unhappiness and hopelessness (Sharpe et al., 2018). Consequently, the signs of depression for instance can be an alteration in eating patterns that range from overeating to undereating. Similarly, People who have experienced trauma...