Text Link

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

What is stress-induced anorexia?

People with anorexia nervosa (AN) often experience high anxiety and stress levels. Stress is often a key trigger in the development of an eating disorder.

Is anorexia caused by stress? It can sometimes be challenging to determine which condition came first. Still, stress-induced anorexia usually refers to an individual who experiences chronic stress or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) before developing anorexia nervosa.2

Our program can help

86% of our patients reported an improved quality of life post treatment.

How we do it

3
 minute read
Last updated on 
March 30, 2023
April 6, 2023
Stress-induced anorexia
In this article

The relationship between stress and eating disorders

Everyone experiences stress. It is the body's natural reaction to change. In small doses, anxiety alerts the body to danger. In most cases, stress relieves itself quickly, and the individual can proceed through life without any significant physical, emotional, or psychological changes. However, some individuals experience behavioral and mental health disorders due to chronic stress, including disordered eating.1

Not only can high levels of the stress hormone lead to changes in eating behaviors, but those with an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa have a higher risk of experiencing chronic stress. This can even lead to stress-induced anorexia.2 Part of the relationship between stress and disordered eating is related to how an individual copes. 

People can have an active or avoidance coping style:

  • Active coping: This is a healthy coping response when a person works to find productive or active solutions to reduce stress. In active coping, the individual is aware of their stressor and problem-solves to reduce unwanted outcomes. 
  • Avoidance coping: This coping is maladaptive; the individual partakes in harmful or destructive behaviors to avoid directly dealing with the cause of their stress. (3) Those with an avoidance coping style may be at risk for disordered eating.10

The risks of stress-induced food restriction

Stress-induced food restriction can lead to the same complications as anorexia nervosa. A few complications associated with anorexia and restricting food include:

  • Anemia: is a condition that develops when someone doesn't have enough iron in their blood. It can happen when a person does not consume enough iron-rich foods. Anemia can cause fatigue, dizziness, headaches, increased heartbeat, cold hands and feet, shortness of breath, and brittle nails. (5)
  • Heart complications: The heart needs nutrients to function. Food restriction keeps essential nutrients from the heart and slows the heart down to conserve energy. If the heart weakens, it makes it more difficult to circulate blood, which can cause mitral valve prolapse, abnormal heart rhythms, or heart failure. (6)
  • Osteoporosis: One of the most common causes of osteoporosis is calcium deficiency which can happen when someone doesn't consume enough calcium-rich foods. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to weaken. People with osteoporosis have a greater risk of bone fractures. (7)
  • Gastrointestinal complications: Restricting food can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea because of the body's lack of protein and amino acids. (8) Restricted eating can also weaken the muscles in the digestive system, making it difficult for the stomach to empty and causing constipation and bloating.

Finding other outlets for stress

Part of the treatment for stress-induced AN is finding outlets to relieve stress aside from restrictive eating. Everyone's approach and methods to manage stress are different, but some common ways are:9

  • Meditation: Meditation aims to instill calm and balance to help counteract stress. Meditation is flexible and can be a few minutes of deep breathing or an hour of intentional quiet. It comes in a number of different techniques, some of which work better for certain individuals. 
  • Sleep: Sleep is the opportunity for the body and mind to recharge. Quality sleep reduces stress and a person's mood, concentration, and energy levels.
  • Journaling: Writing down thoughts and feelings during high-anxiety moments helps express oneself. Journaling is also a valuable tool in reflection to understand stressors and triggers. 
  • Art: Channeling stress into a creative art project is a great way to express and manage emotions. Music writing, drawing, sewing, and painting are great creative options.
  • Counseling: Coping with stress is not always something a person can do independently. Sometimes it's helpful to seek stress management guidance from a trained counselor or therapist so you can learn and practice coping skills on your own.

Treating Anorexia and Stress

At Within Health, we understand the complexities of eating disorders and stress. Our expert team approaches each client with empathy and humanity to develop a personalized care program to address their needs. Each individualized plan strikes a balance between helping clients cope with food and body challenges and exploring the interpersonal concerns underlying their anorexia, including techniques for coping with stress. Contact our admissions team to get started on the recovery journey.

Treatment can help uncover the cause of your stress levels, including social and environmental factors and past trauma.

Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.

Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.

Resources

  1. Yale Medicine. (2019, November 15). Chronic stress. Yale Medicine. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  2. Brewerton, T. D. (2018, February 21). Trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders. National Eating Disorders Association. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  3. Holahan, C. J., Moos, R. H., Holahan, C. K., Brennan, P. L., & Schutte, K. K. (2011). Stress generation, avoidance coping, and depressive symptoms: A 10-year model. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(4), 658–666. 
  4. Cleveland Clinic. (2021, December 27). How stress can make you eat more — or not at all. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  5. Cafasso, J. (2017, December 24). Iron deficiency anemia secondary to inadequate dietary iron intake. Healthline. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  6. Northwestern Medicine. (n.d.). How anorexia impacts your heart. Northwestern Medicine. Retrieved March 23, 2022. 
  7. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2022, January 26). Osteoporosis. MedlinePlus. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  8. Rattue, P. (2012, July 26). Malnutrition and starvation cause inflamed intestines. Medical News Today. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  9. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, March 18). Stress relievers: Tips to tame stress. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  10. MacNeil, L., Esposito-Smythers, C., Mehlenbeck, R., Weismoore, J. (2012). The effects of avoidance coping and coping self-efficacy on eating disorder attitudes and behaviors: A stress-diathesis model. Eating Behaviors, 13(4), 293-296

FAQs

Further reading

October is National Depression Awareness Month: How to find support

October is National Depression Awareness Month in the United States, with National Depression Screening Day...

Dual diagnosis eating disorder treatment

While most forms of therapy were originally designed to treat a specific type of mental health disorder, some

OCD and binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by eating a large amount of food in a short period of time...

The link between medical trauma and eating disorders

When people think of traumatic events, they likely think of a one-time terrifying or disturbing event, such...

PTSD and eating disorders

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders commonly co-occur, which can complicate recovery...

Complex trauma and eating disorders

You may be familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is an anxiety disorder that results...

Eating disorders and neurodivergence

Once thought of primarily as social diseases, eating disorders are now much better understood, with...

The relationship between bulimia and anxiety

Co-occurring mental health conditions are common among individuals who live with...

Borderline personality disorder and anorexia nervosa

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders, such as anorexia...

Bulimia and alcohol addiction

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder associated with multiple negative...

What is stress-induced anorexia?

People with anorexia nervosa (AN) often experience high anxiety and stress levels...

How to stop anxiety eating

If you turn to food when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, you’re not...

Unpacking anorexia and insomnia

The connection between anorexia nervosa (AN) and insomnia is complex. Researchers haven’t identified...

Understanding depression and eating disorders

When someone enters treatment for an eating disorder, it is important they receive...

Treating ARFID and autism

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder that involves extreme picky eating...

The relationship between anxiety, depression, and overeating

Food is one of the most essential aspects of life, not only needed for survival, but involved deeply in...

The relationship between anorexia nervosa and anxiety disorders

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder in which individuals are concerned about...

The relationship between ADHD and binge eating disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorder (BED)...

Sleep and eating disorders

Sleeping and eating share a very intimate relationship, as they are both essential...

How does OCD and eating disorders interact

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders are two distinctive conditions...

Food maintenance syndrome (foster care)

Food maintenance syndrome is an eating disorder common in children in foster care...

Food aversion and OCD

When we think of eating disorders, we often imagine someone who has anorexia nervosa...

Eating disorders and co-occurring disorders

On their own, eating disorders are serious mental illnesses. But they are often accompanied by co-occurring...

Eating disorders and addiction

Eating disorders like binge eating disorder, atypical anorexia nervosa, and bulimia...

What is body dysmorphic disorder?

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a serious condition that involves a preoccupation with physical appearance.

Anxiety and binge eating

Most people will "overeat" at some point in their lives, indulging in a large meal or an extra round of...

Postpartum depression and binge eating disorder

Postpartum depression is a common mental health condition that affects...

Further reading

No items found.