Link Between Eating Disorders and Sexual Abuse

The link between eating disorders and sexual abuse has gained a great deal of attention in the past few years. Much research has been conducted in order to discover the link between eating disorders and sexually or emotionally abused women. Many females who undergo treatment of eating disorders have experienced some sort of sexual, physical or emotional abuse at some point in their lives; usually during childhood. The most prominent factor which causes eating disorders in women is sexual abuse, and unfortunately, many of the affected women do not know this because they have suppressed the memory of having been sexually abused.

Abused from a very young age

Many young girls from age five through to their early teens are emotionally, sexually and physically abused by a close family member, friend or associate. Results of some studies showed that the abusers usually include a father or brother of the girl, close friend of her father, her mother’s boyfriend, or her uncle etc. Sometimes the young girl does not realise that she is being abused because she is too young to know.

Sometimes she is unable to explain what is going on to anyone because she thinks that no one would believe her. Or because she has been threatened by the abuser that harm will come to her if she tells. Or another reason may simply be to save her family from any conflicts that might arise should she talk about what is happening to her.

What is the relationship between sexual or emotional abuse and developing an eating disorder in females? The answer is guilt, anesthesia, shame, comfort, self-punishment, soothing, rage and protection.

Unable to recognise true hunger

Sexual abuse can have some intense effects on the eating patterns of affected females. Sexual abuse disturbs the victims so badly that their inner feelings of fatigue, hunger and sexuality become very difficult to identify. Victims of sexual abuse may turn to food to relieve some sort of depression, tension, and guilt that have nothing to do with hunger. It is their confusion and uncertainty of inner perceptions that cause them to focus only on food.

Making themselves unattractive

Many survivors of sexual abuse want to become fat or thin individuals in an attempt to make themselves unattractive. They do this to desexualise themselves. Some survivors diet excessively in order to make their bodies perfect and well-shaped. They are hoping to make themselves more powerful, in control and invulnerable, as they do not want to re-experience the powerlessness that they felt when they were children.

Some victims of sexual abuse are afraid to lose weight. They think they will look more childlike and that the chances of getting sexually abused may increase. Or they simply do not want to have men showing sexual interest in them. It is no wonder that they feel this way really. These ladies are disgusted with men and no longer want to have to deal with men’s sexual behaviour…. in any way whatsoever.

Anorexia and Bulimia

Studies have shown that there is a significant link between eating disorders like Bulimia nervosa and Anorexia nervosa and sexual abuse, especially abuse at the hand of a paedophile. Why? Sometimes they feel immense guilt at having enjoyed sex with their abuser. So binge eating, starvation or purging is their self-induced punishment for themselves. When they are mentally upset and want to forget those bad memories, in order to cope with that tension and depression they then adopt bad eating habits and develop eating disorders. The eating disorder of Bulimia can be a psychological reaction to having been forced to accept a man’s penis down her throat so she now has to constantly “spit it out” through her disorder. Many women who have Bulimia don’t even realise that this is where the disorder stems from, they have suppressed the memories so deeply.

Healing

How does one heal from an eating disorder that was caused by sexual or emotional abuse? The first step towards healing would be sharing your experience with someone whom you have a lot of trust in. The sexual abuse was something that happened to you. You were unable to control what was going on. It is very important that you feel safe when you share your feelings with your listener. Remember that confronting your shame and guilt and releasing your pain are part of the process of recovering yourself.

Despite the increased awareness of sexual abuse, many people still feel ashamed about having been abused. Find an eating disorder specialist who is well aware of the link between sexual abuse and eating disorders. Begin your healing and treatment under the supervision of that specialist.

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Update February 2016: The first novel in our series of seven is now published. It is a courageous story of a young teen growing up in a home filled with domestic violence and child abuse. The reader follows her journey as she manoeuvres her way through such a difficult situation.

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