When I was working with individuals with eating disorders, I was struck by the qualities that seemed to accompany the personalities of anorexics. As I wrote my thesis, my literature review shed some light on my observations and how researchers describe these personality traits. For example, it has been mentioned in numerous studies that anorexics tend to exhibit qualities of perfectionism, obsessionality and the inability to feel happiness except during times of starvation.
It became clear to me that although the environment definitely has a defining influence on people who eventually develop eating disorders (abuse seems to precede the development of eating disorders in many cases, for example), I couldn’t help but wonder if genes also play a major role. I remember during my thesis defense discussing the possibility that one day we will have a better understanding of the biological mechanisms of anorexia, to the point that new drugs may be developed and be helpful in the same way that Lithium can be helpful for bipolar, or Prozac can be helpful for depression. Having medications that can help alleviate symptoms can increase the chance of therapy being successful…and this is so important in the case of anorexia, which has the highest death rate amongst young women in comparison to any other mental illness.
The current issue of Scientific American Mind has an article entitled “Addicted to Starvation: The Neurological Roots of Anorexia” that sheds light on the possible underlying genetics of eating disorders. It’s an interesting read and puts a lot of what is observed clinically into context.
I was surprised at the genetic similarity between drug addiction and anorexia, where people seem to be addicted to not eating. Certainly this had been a thought that crossed my mind before, even to the point where I wondered if something similar to a 12 step program could be helpful to some anorexic individuals, but I don’t recall actually reading anywhere a researched link between addiction and anorexia. Perhaps that is a new finding from recent studies? Or maybe I just missed it in my lit review.