Eating Disorder and Sexual Abuse

Eating Disorder and Sexual Abuse Name Institutional Affiliation Eating Disorder and Sexual Abuse Eating Disorders Eating disorders (ED) relate to unhealthy habits of eating. It is specified as irregular patterns of eating along with serious concerns regarding body shape and weight (Forbush, Crosby, Coniglio & Haynos, 2019). These scholars argue that the prevalence of ED among young adults is between 13 to 18%. Eating disorders have also been closely associated with the kind of lifestyle which people go through. Researchers and clinicians argue that there are certain disparities and trends in eating disorders across the sexuality spectrum. Furthermore, the prevalence of eating disorder is increasing day by day with the exposure of media. There are three major classifications of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder (Zam, Saijari & Sijari, 2018). EDs are commonly regarded as lifestyle choices, but evidence indicates that they are serious and fatal diseases that make people be obsessed with their eating habits and body weights. EDs occur among all age groups irrespective of culture, income, ethnicity, or other demographic factors. Dieting and maintenance of the body shape are some of the main contributing factors in eating disorders. Eating disorders are equal in all age groups despite any cultural difference, although it is more common in girls and women than men. Numerous studies have found that the most appropriate treatment outcome for ED is an early and quick response to family-based and behavioral therapy. Nevertheless, since EDs can be attributed to numerous factors, the most appropriate therapies, including the duration of the therapies, are yet to be fully determined (Forbush, Crosby, Coniglio & Haynos, 2019). Nevertheless, researchers and clinicians argue that cultural humility should be cultivated to assist ED patients during the treatment program. This would also be instrumental in dealing with issues that have contributed to ED and ultimately lead to recovery. Sexual abuse and Eating Disorders Although there is a number of social, cultural, and genetic factors that contribute to eating disorders, sexual abuse is the most common risk factor in this pattern. Many research studies show that sexual abuse is a hidden contribution to eating disorders. According to research, the incidence of sexual assault in disturbed patients seems important. Half of each of anorectic and bulimic patients reportable history of sexual assault whereas twenty-eight of a non-anorexic, non-bulimic management population reported similar issues (Lonstein, 2017). Rate of sexual abuse is higher in those who suffer from Bulimia nervosa. The connection between sexual abuse and eating disorder often leads to shame, guilt, self-punishment, comfort, and soothing. Sexual abuse survivors have different self-identification personalities. It has a different effect on eating habits and patterns of livings (Yamamotova, Bulant, Bocek & Papezova, 2017). Sexual abuse survivors try to cope with their trauma by distorting their body shame. Abuse does not occur in a single way, and it is of huge variety and has different effects on the victims. Physical abuse One of the most important contributing factors of eating disorder is physical abuse. Sexual and physical abuse lead to body distortion. Childhood physical abuse lead to a sense of body distortion. In anorexia nervosa, sexual and physical harm are more common (Treuer, Koperdak, Rozsa, Furedi, 2005). It is difficult for a child to tell about physical abuse. The traumatic experience of early life creates anxiety and depression. The survivor finds escape in eating disorders. Smoothness by distorting the body image and shape is their ultimate survival (Guillaume et al., 2016). In short, childhood abuse increases the severity of eating disorders symptoms. Emotional abuse. Like physical abuse, emotional abuse also leads to eating disorders. Emotional abuse is a sort of trauma which will be degrading a person’s self-respect, confidence, and self-worth. Unlike physical abuse, the scars of emotional abuse are abundant, less noticeable, and an individual suffering from emotional abuse will hide their struggles for some time. Emotional abuse has two types, verbal and nonverbal. Emotional abuses are easily overlooked because no specific scares are present (Jantz, 2014). In early life, it is not possible to define and explain emotional abuse. Children mostly find other ways to express their traumas (Vajda & Lang, 2014). Anorexia nervosa is a type of eating disorder that is caused by emotional abuse. It is difficult for patients to regulate their emotions (Racine & Wildes, 2014). The only way to express emotional anxiety and depression by an individual is induced eating disorders. Childhood abuse Like sexual and physical abuse, childhood abuse is also a risk factor in eating disorders. Childhood abuse can either be emotional, sexual and physical. Mostly, children do not tell about their abuse. This may be due to their unawareness about abuse. They do not realize anything is wrong. Suppression from the abuser makes them unaware of the abuse (Weiss, 2016). Sexual and physical abuse among children makes them emotionally weak. Their self-esteem lowers down. Adverse childhood experiences lead to eating disorders. Many patients of eating disorders experience traumas in their early life (Guillaume et al., 2016). The exploitation of a child at an early age is a very common phenomenon. Therapies for Eating Disorders Eating disorders are serious illnesses related to depression and death. A number of individual's feel difficulty in eating and feeding. This leads to psychosocial and physical impairments (Murphy, Straebler, Cooper & Fairburn, 2010). Different therapies are used to treat eating disorders such as cognitive therapy, family therapy, and intensive programs. Cognitive Therapy The leading evidence-based theory for eating disorder is cognitive therapy. This disorder tells the patients about her distorted thoughts about her body image. By tackling negative thoughts and unhealthy behaviors, it is possible to improve the condition of the patient. Eating disorders offer some of the clear instances of cognitive behavioral therapy. This claim is supported by two considerations. To start with, the basic psychopathology of ED, as well as the overvaluation of weight and shape, tend to be cognitive in nature. Secondly, cognitive behavioral therapy has increasingly been used to treat bulimia nervosa, and evidence indicates that it has been effective in the treatment of various cases of eating disorders (Murphy, Straebler, Cooper & Fairburn, 2010). This therapy is mostly developed to treat bulimia nervosa. In this therapy trans-diagnostic method is used to identify the core process involved in eating disorders. 32004001061720Strict dieting, weight control behavior00Strict dieting, weight control behavior171450010617200020713709124950025527004311650028384501713230002914650225044000291465017132300032766001713230002381250242189000260032524218900022383752804795Compensatory vomiting00Compensatory vomiting466725459740Events and associated mood changes00Events and associated mood changes3152775219075Over-evaluating of control, overeating, shape or weight.00Over-evaluating of control, overeating, shape or weight.33432752029460Features of under eating00Features of under eating17145001934210Binge eating00Binge eating Figure 1: Events of ED (Murphy, Straebler, Cooper & Fairburn, 2010) Patients disturbed with their eating patterns also have a problem with their social lives. It also induces negative thinking (Bergh et, al, 2013). The cognitive model points out that core issues of eating disorder relate to body image and shape, which can only be overcome by psychoeducation. Educating the patient about the medical severity of the problem and psychological issues linked with it can enhance cognitive behavior therapy, which is a more effective and efficient means to cope with bulimia nervosa disorder. This theory emphasizes that overgeneralization of shape and weight and their maintenance is the main concern of eating disorders. A large portion of other clinical characteristics of ED can be comprehended by analyzing the result of this psychopathology. Consequently, it results in dietary limitation and food inhibition, weight shape concerns, continuous efforts to lose weight and indulge in strict diet patterns. Binge eating is a consequence of bulimia but not in all cases. According to cognitive psychology, these pathologies occur due to strict diet patterns and rules. It is not possible for the patient to skip any of the dietary rules. Breaking of these rules negatively affects their thinking about self-control (Agras, 2019). Hence, this increases the patient's concerns regarding their ability to control their eating, weight, and shape. Cognitive behavioral therapies have been found to be effective for underweight patients as well as those overweight patients who engage in binge eating. Nevertheless, it is important to note that some therapies have to be modified in order to cater to the specific condition of the patient. Victims of sexual abuse may be suffering from a wide range of problems, which makes them suffer from ED. Psychodynamic Psychoanalysis Theory Psychodynamic therapy deals with past experiences, needs, and desires of patients along with his defense mechanism. Psychodynamic approach is used to treat eating disorder among patients suffering from sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is one of the most important risk factors in eating disorder (Strangio et al., 2017). The psychodynamic theory states that child sexual abuse linked with emotion deregulation often affects the eating habits of an individual in the long term. A hostile environment promotes insensitive and hostile feelings. Physicians have increasingly used psychodynamic therapy in clinical practice to treat individuals with ED and who have gone through sexual abuse in the past. This therapy also involves "umbrella" treatment concepts that are used in an interpretive-supportive continuum (Strangio et al., 2017). Studies have shown that the use of interpretive and more supportive interventions is usually tailored to the needs of the patients. Psychodynamic psychotherapy ...