Call us: (714) 683-1472
e-mail: info@orangecoastpsychiatry.com
Book Appointment

Are Eating Disorders Genetic?

Are Eating Disorders Genetic?

Blog Outline

Back to Top

Eating disorders can make your life difficult and can lead to extreme demotivation. However, many people wonder something along the topic: Are eating disorders genetic? The answer to this query is discussed in this article. To learn more, continue reading this blog.

Understanding Eating Disorders:

Eating disorders are physical and mental health deteriorating disorders. This can lead to self-doubt, lowered self-esteem, and negative thoughts. The extremeness of this disorder can lead to severe disruptions in the daily life functioning of a person.

Some Common Symptoms Of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are marked by the following signs:

Physical signs:

  • Noticeable weight changes
  • Dryness
  • Sore throat
  • Irregular periods
  • Stomach Issues
  • Hair thinning
  • Dizziness
  • Lack of energy
  • Intolerance for cold
  • Dental Issues

Behavioral signs:

  • Meal avoidance
  • Self-induced vomiting
  • Wearing loose clothes
  • Meal skipping
  • Structured eating patterns
  • Social Withdrawal
  • Excessive exercising
  • Obsession with dieting

Psychological signs:

  • Extreme fear of weight gaining
  • Decreased self-esteem
  • Out-of-control behavior
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Mood Swings
  • Irritability
  • Dissatisfaction with body image
  • Preoccupation with weight, body size, or appearance
  • Shame
  • Guilt

Association Between Anorexia Nervosa And Genetics

Although, there are many eating disorders. However, several medical information is present for anorexia nervosa. These studies point towards the strong association between the genetic predisposition and the onset of anorexia nervosa. Furthermore, this is a type of eating disorder that is present in families and can affect the next generations as well. Patients with a strong familial history are 11 times more like to develop anorexia nervosa

For people with anorexia nervosa irregularities in genes can lead to the regulation of the following:

  • Fasting Insulin
  • Cholesterol raising
  • Obesity
  • Fasting glucose

This indicates that anorexia nervosa is a mental health disorder related to metabolism.

Eating Disorders And Genetics

The rate of genetic studies having details on bulimia and binge eating disorders is rare. However, the truth cannot be denied that several people suffer from these types of disordered eating.

There was a study conducted by some competent researchers that indicated that there is a presence of shared genetic risk factors in people diagnosed with binge eating disorder. In simpler words, genes play a significant role in the onset of eating disorders.

Read More: What is the Purpose of the Eating Disorder Symbol?

Ways To Break The Ongoing Cycle Of Genetic Eating Disorders

Every healthy person fears developing any mental illness. The same goes for eating disorders as well. No one will ever want to combat an eating disorder. But, the risk is also high due to the presence of genes. Let’s assume for a moment that you are suffering from a genetic eating disorder. What can you do in such a scenario?

The most important factor in managing the risk of genetic eating disorders includes the intake of a nutritious diet. Adulting is difficult and often includes neglecting several factors such as the intake of a nutritious diet. Stress also plays an important role in the onset of genetic eating disorder. Some life-changing events such as moving to a new place, joining a university, or even starting a new job can increase the development of eating disorders.

So, there is no single way to manage the risk of the development of genetic eating disorders. Simply following some steps can do wonders. Always remember to keep your body nourished along with developing coping skills to prevent stressors and triggers.

What Are Other Factors That Can Lead To Eating Disorders?

Any mental health disorder is never caused by just a single reason. There are always other factors too. Some of the common risk factors contributing to the onset of eating disorders are:

Social Environment:

Eating Disorders are led by cultural factors, weight-based testing, reduced social networks, and a history of trauma.

Mental Health Disorders:

Eating habits are always affected by the way a person thinks and lives their life. Some particular behaviors like dissatisfaction with the body, attention to detail, and rigidity in nature all can act as triggers for causing eating disorders. Additionally, some mental health disorders such as Obsessive-compulsive disorder can also increase the chances of eating disorders.

Biological:

Dieting and certain medical conditions such as the most common one diabetes can increase the risk of triggering the onset of an eating disorder.

If you seek professional medical treatment for treating eating disorders, then your mental health professional will ensure that any co-occurring issues are also considered and treated. Moreover, you will get to know whether are eating disorders genetic or not.

Effective Therapeutic Approaches:

Eating disorders can be painful and stressful. Therefore, choosing a mental health professional for the treatment is essential. Some of the effective treatment approaches are as follows:

Talk Therapy:

Talk therapy, often called psychotherapy, holds great importance in treating eating disorders. It requires a regular follow-up with the psychologist. This type of therapy can last for a few months to years but it ensures you to help in the following areas:

  • Development of healthy eating habits and focusing on attaining the optimal weight.
  • Changing unhealthy habits into healthy ones.
  • Learning stress management coping skills.
  • Leads to better relationships.
  • It makes your mood better.

Read More: What Causes An Eating Disorder?

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy:

This therapy entirely focuses on diminishing the negative thoughts related to body image and leading to the onset of eating disorders. Moreover, the development of healthy eating habits is the key concern. After that the next approach is to deal with the negative thoughts and change them into pleasant thoughts to prevent the deterioration of signs of eating disorders.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy:

This therapy is a combination of group and individual therapy that aids in developing expertise in managing stress signs, irregularities in emotions, and the development of healthy relationships.

Conclusion!

Eating disorders come under the category of mental and physical disorders. This can lead to self-doubt, lowered self-esteem, and negative thoughts. Moreover, the common signs include dryness, sore throat, irregular periods, stomach issues, depression, anxiety, and mood swings. Many people wonder if there are any genetic causes of eating disorders. Yes, they do have a link with genes and can be triggered due to a family chain of eating disorders. However, there are some effective ways to manage the signs of eating disorders such as talk therapy, DBT, and CBT. So, if you are also worried due to your signs of eating disorders. Then get in touch with Orange Coast Psychiatry for a complete recovery from this illness and learn about the most concerned question “Are Eating Disorders Genetic?”

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference and Footnotes

Latest Post

How To Deal With Gender Dysphoria? A Complete Guide

Gender dysphoria is something that can be alarming for the sufferer and the sufferer’s family as well. Therefore, it is always best and advised to get your child or loved one treated on time to avoid any adverse impacts in the future. Gender dysphoria is something when a person does

Read More »

Richard Samedra.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Richard Samedra, PMHNP-BC, is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He brings over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, working with clients facing a wide range of acute and chronic mental health conditions. His journey began as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and Charge Nurse at Westminster Therapeutic Residential Treatment, where he supported clients dealing with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. Richard’s dedication was centered on helping these individuals improve their mental health and transition to a lower level of care, whether that meant returning to their families, a board and care facility, or a sober-living environment.
Motivated by a growing passion for mental health care, Richard pursued his Registered Nurse (RN) education at Saddleback Community College and later transitioned to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital Behavioral Health. In this role, he specialized in geriatric psychiatry, working with older adults experiencing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety. This experience solidified his commitment to mental health, leading him to work at Bellflower Community Hospital, where he provided care for patients experiencing severe psychiatric crises, including suicidal ideation, manic and depressive episodes, substance use disorders, and exacerbated schizophrenia symptoms.
Inspired by the impactful work of PMHNPs at Bellflower, Richard enrolled in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Azusa Pacific University. To broaden his expertise, he worked full-time at College Hospital Costa Mesa while completing his studies. There, he gained comprehensive experience across various units, including adolescent, acute men’s and women’s, stabilization, and detox/med-surg. Now, as a PMHNP, Richard is committed to leveraging his diverse background and knowledge to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to those in need.
Richard currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where he is supervised by Dr. Montgomery.

Shaheena Gazipura

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Shaheena Gazipura is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 9 years of dedicated experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.
Shaheena began her career working on an adult psychiatric inpatient unit before transitioning to the geriatric psychiatric inpatient unit at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. In addition to her clinical work, Shaheena also serves as a Nursing Clinical Instructor, guiding the next generation of nurses through their mental health rotations at a large community college.
Shaheena is a passionate advocate for mental health, believing that it is a fundamental pillar of overall well-being. She is committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and strives to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that honors each individual’s unique experiences and challenges. Her goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel empowered to work alongside her in achieving their mental health goals.
Outside of her professional life, Shaheena enjoys exploring new culinary experiences, staying active through exercise, and planning her next travel adventures.
Shaheena currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Clint Nacar

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner -BC

Clint Nacar, PMHNP-BC is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Nacar graduated from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Currently Mr. Nacar works in an inpatient psychiatry unit at a leading academic medical center in Los Angeles, Renewed Mental Health Group, and Orange Coast Psychiatry
Mr. Nacar brings over 7+ years of experience with the mental health population. He works to help patients take control of their mental health through patient education, psychotherapy and medication management. Mr. Nacar’s areas of focus include: Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, Bipolar disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mr. Nacar treats children ages 6+, adolescents, and adults, offering both in-person services and telehealth at Renewed Mental Health Group.
With the collaboration of each patient, Mr. Nacar strives to develop individualized plans of care addressing each patient’s unique situation and concerns. He also encourages each patient to take charge of their mental health through a holistic approach while also employing the latest evidence based practices in treatment.

Clint is one of our most experienced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is 103NP Licensed in the State of California.

Cristian Cuevas

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

Cristian Cuevas, PMHNP-BC, is a highly skilled board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over seven years of experience in inpatient psychiatry and mental health.
A California State University Long Beach graduate, Cristian also earned recognition as a board-certified psychiatric mental health registered nurse. With a wealth of expertise in adult psychiatric care across the lifespan, Cristian has successfully diagnosed and treated a diverse range of mental health disorders.
Additionally, his specialized experience in child and adolescent inpatient populations further enhances his ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate mental health care.
Cristian Cuevas is the Lead Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is supervised by Dr Barrios.

Griselda Hernandez

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

As a licensed Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a robust background in psychiatric and substance abuse nursing, Griselda provides compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges. The core of her practice focuses on promoting holistic wellness, fostering resilience, and empowering patients in their recovery journey. Specializing in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of adolescents with various mental health disorders, Griselda strives to create a therapeutic environment where patients feel valued, respected, and supported.

“My approach is grounded in years of diverse experience, including work in psychiatric units and medical detox units for both adults and adolescents. This extensive background has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to manage complex psychiatric and substance abuse conditions effectively. I am committed to staying updated with the latest advancements in psychiatric care, integrating cutting-edge therapies and best practices into my treatment plans. Collaboration is key to my practice; I work closely with multidisciplinary teams, families, and community resources to provide coordinated and comprehensive care tailored to each individual’s unique needs.”

Griselda holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatric-Mental Health from West Coast University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Additionally, she is fluent in the English and Spanish language, enhancing her ability to connect with a diverse patient population.

Griselda currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Dr Barrios

Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Carlos Barrios is a Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over two decades of experience in mental health care. His expertise in telepsychiatry has allowed him to serve patients across California and beyond. In his practice, Dr Barrios integrates metabolic and functional methodologies, focusing on guiding patients toward medication independence and emphasizing the connection between physical and mental health.
Outside of his professional life, Dr Barrios is passionate about kettlebell training, which helps him maintain my physical and mental wellness. He cherishes visiting his family in Guatemala, to reconnecting with his cultural roots and rejuvenating his spirit. Dr Barrios is also deeply involved in transcendental meditation and rucking, practices that not only provide him with tranquility but also keep him grounded and connected to nature. These hobbies reflect his commitment to a holistic approach to health, both personally and professionally.