Posted by jujube on November 12, 2004, at 18:18:07
In reply to are eating disorders the same as depression?, posted by lostforwards on November 12, 2004, at 17:59:26
I think that eating disorders can lead to depression and anxiety since a person with an eating disorder is essentially depriving their body of proteins, which contain amino acids like trytophan, etc, and other nutrients. The less a person eats, particularly the less protein-enriched foods, the more they deplete their serontonin and other brain chemicals. And, as a result, the more distorted their body image becomes (e.g., I am 98 pounds, but I am too fat and ugly). That is probably why people with eating disorders are treated with ADs, etc.
Just my two cents.
Tamara
> I know they have similar treatments. I don't think all people who are depressed think they're too fat or too skinny. I'd like to know if there is a difference between eating disorders and depression.
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> Is there something special about an anorexic that makes them see their body as normal? Is the skew in their perception primarily psychological ( as in due to low self-esteem ) or is it a real change in perception of their physical body caused by brain chemistry?
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poster:jujube
thread:415169
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041108/msgs/415177.html