Self Hatred And Self Loathing
How Is It Related To Anorexia And Body Image?

Self hatred and self loathing are common in people with anorexia or other eating disorders. People who suffer from disordered eating tend to have a strong hatred of self, and may engage in frequent acts of self injury. Here are a couple of possibilities why an anorexic's self hate may be directly related to body image issues.

First of all, there are many reasons why someone might feel the need to self mutilate. For example, self-harm is a common behavior in survivors of sexual and/or physical abuse, but it also could be one of the signs of an eating disorder.

In fact, each of these issues are illnesses in their own rights, but it's interesting to note the connections among them and to understand how they frequently overlap.

Self Hatred In Eating Disorders And Body Image

Self hatred and eating disorders almost go hand-in-hand.

Explaining the causes of anorexia nervosa with a statement such as, "She does it because she hates herself" ... while it may seem too simplistic, this is often at the root of the problem in many cases.

Anorexics and other disordered eating individuals often harbor a deep sense of self hatred, and they may show several depression warning signs.

This hate and disgust is so intense that sometimes they don't even believe that they deserve to eat - or exist. I was one of these people.

I hated myself for being "fat". These thoughts were obviously the result of a distorted body image, but it was the cognitive distortions that convinced me that I was worthless because of my enormous size.

These convictions quickly turned into self loathing. I can't say that I was one of those people who hated themselves because I didn't live up to the ideal body image that's usually presented in the media. For me, it was all inside. I just plain hated myself.

I hated myself for having hunger pains and requiring food in order to survive. I worked tirelessly to deny my hunger and eventually I didn't feel those hunger pains at all.

Anorexia Nervosa Causes Self Harming Behaviors

It has been argued that in some individuals, anorexia nervosa causes self harming behaviors. The Eating Disorder Voice can be one of the most frustrating dangers of anorexia.

I've heard of cases where girls with anorexia hated themselves so intensely that they went on to do great damage by self cutting. This enables them to focus on something else (the pain of their wounds) instead of the barbaric, relentless words of the Eating Disorder Voice (a.k.a. "ED").

In addition to self mutilation, hatred (and "ED") can also make you feel as though you'll never be good enough for anyone else. It convinces you that you can't possibly be worthy enough to have a partner in life.

In fact, research has shown that anorexia sufferers and those who self harm may have the same goals.

It's been said that those with anorexia will do almost anything (whether it's a conscious choice or not) to appear unattractive - or asexual - in order to avoid intimacy or unwanted attention.

It's difficult to say if self hatred is one of the causes of anorexia, or one of the symptoms of anorexia. Personally, I believe that everything is intertwined and it's nearly impossible to separate one from the other.

One thing for sure - it is definitely one of the more complex effects of eating disorders.

---------------
Like what you just read? Let us know! Log into your Google account, then click on the "+1" below.
---------------