Is the summer a trigger of eating disorders?

MADRID, July 28 (EDITIONS) –

The eating disorders, the psychological affections of the roots, are extreme manifestations of concerns about the physical appearance that lead to harmful behavior with food, such as caloric restriction, l '. binge eating, bleeding or excessive exercise. And summer can be a trigger for these disorders.

This is confirmed in an interview with Infosalus, the psychologist and deputy director of the Institute of Eating Disorders (ITA), Miriam Sánchez, who qualifies however the summer itself "is not the cause" even though it's a trigger. The reason must be sought as it is a "step in which the body is more exposed and usually leaves more," says the expert.

Another explanation in this respect is found in the Start of diets for the so-called "bikini operation". "In some cases, it appears in the summer because of the typical attempt to operate the bikini .The beginning of a diet can be a trigger," says Sánchez, adding that this happens "in people who have a certain predisposition ". The scheme is simple: with weight loss "there is an external social reinforcementthere's usually an environmental badessment and that's when you start getting addicted, "says the ITA expert. It is estimated that 90% of the victims are women and 10% are men.

In addition, summer can not only trigger eating disorders. If they are already established, it aggravates them. "Food habits also experience variations as vacationers tend to eat at more dispersed times and some changes in their habits.This creates increased instability and increases symptoms," says the ITA psychologist.

Sanchez also points out that another phenomenon that occurs in summer, more eating disorders are detected. "Normally, parents, when they are not working, are more at home and this often helps them to detect the bad habits or discomfort of their daughter or their son and therefore to consult and solicit the child. professional help, "says the expert.

The most well-known eating disorders are anorexia and bulimiabut summer is not limited to those. "Yes, summer is also increasing other eating disorders," says Sánchez. The ITA expert defines anorexia as "an eating disorder with various symptoms badociated with eating behavior related to attempting weight control to achieve a desirable body image and with which they feel better". Its main characteristic is caloric restriction and the attempt to have a low weight.

On the other hand, bulimia is characterized by binge eating. Those who suffer "make contributions based on lack of control, the inability to stop and eat very large quantities", differs the expert. "This causes them great discomfort that they usually compensate for vomiting or laxatives or by limiting the rest of the days.For example, one day a frenzy is made or several days and then they try to compensate by reducing the diet. and they can spend a day or two without eating, "says the psychologist.

IN COMMON

Anorexia and bulimia have in common "a pathological nucleus based on great discomfort, low self-esteem, difficulties in social relationships, many emotional management difficulties, difficulties in expressing what. they feel., express anger, tolerate frustration and tolerate discomfort, "says Sánchez.

Therefore, the use of food control is the solution for patients. "If I can not control the relationship with my parents, I try to control the body by not eating, if I can not make friends, I try to change the body to see if I am I have more social success and if things are better for me, "illustrates the ITA psychologist. "It's an attempt to solve what the person is suffering from," says Sanchez.

The profile of patients with eating disorders has other characteristics. The expert says "a Profile perfectionist, demanding, who tends to be compared and these difficulties of emotional management: low self-esteem, not seeing the person's positive abilities increases the likelihood of trying to focus change on the body. "

Finally, Traumatic experiences complete the equation. "There is usually trauma," concedes the expert, who mentions "intimidation", a complete family relationship where there has been abuse of the family, badual abuse …