The Role of Fear and Disgust in Eating Disorders

Sponsored By: The Refuge – A Healing Place

There have been multiple studies on the link between emotions like fear and disgust and their impact on eating disorders. Strong emotions like these can trigger eating disorder behaviors, so properly identifying and addressing fear and disgust can be an important part of eating disorder treatment.

How Fear Can Influence Eating Disorders

Everyone experiences fear to some degree in their lives, and the emotion can be a strong motivator for the things we do and the things we avoid. For those who are struggling with an eating disorder, fear usually revolves around the body and food and is often irrational.

Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa can be characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, which can lead to unhealthy diet restrictions, overexercising, and obsession with one’s appearance. Often, those who suffer from eating disorder symptoms have this fear no matter how small the number on the scale is.

Emily, a 21-year-old nursing student, recalled her history with anorexia from the age of 15 when she began dieting and exercising excessively to cope with stress. Although her weight decreased dramatically, her fear of weight gain was intense, leading to even more severe restrictions [1].

Usually, those who have eating disorder symptoms fear things that can result in weight gain as well, such as certain foods. “Fear foods,” or foods that are high in calories or fat, can trigger eating disorder symptoms [2]. Someone who has an eating disorder might avoid certain foods because they have overestimated the risk of weight gain as a result.

How Disgust Can Influence Eating Disorders

Like fear, disgust is a common emotion experienced by those who have eating disorders. Also, like fear, disgust can be a direct response to certain foods, leading to food avoidance and restrictions. However, disgust can also be directed at oneself.

One study found that those who struggled with an eating disorder reported significantly higher rates of self-disgust than those who had no history of disordered eating [3]. Self-disgust often involves negative thoughts about one’s body, attributes, and actions.

For example, bulimia often involves episodes of bingeing followed by purging or fasting. Individuals who binge eat may report feelings of disgust after an episode, motivating them to purge and restrict their diet to make up for it.

Identifying the Role of Fear and Disgust in Treating Eating Disorders

By understanding the role of fear and disgust in eating disorders, a person can more effectively manage their symptoms.

One study found that disgust reactions to food are more difficult to treat than fear reactions to food in individuals who have anorexia nervosa [4]. Another study found that the level of disgust felt during eating disorder behavior increased when fear increased, suggesting that disgust and fear are often felt together. If an individual can address the fear of food and weight gain, they may also be able to resolve feelings of disgust.

Leah Pierce, a registered dietitian, explains the importance of nutrition therapy in helping those who have eating disorders overcome their fear of food, especially food that contains fat. “I take that moment to have an educational moment with them and explain there are healthy fats,” Pierce said. “Healthy fats can include almonds, nut butter, peanut butter, whole milk and walnuts” [2].

Pierce encourages her patients to consider that eating certain foods won’t lead to the significant weight gain they fear [2].

Through education and exposure therapy, those who are struggling with an eating disorder can find relief from fear and disgust. When these emotions become easier to control, eating disorder symptoms can also become more manageable.

If you are suffering from feelings of fear and disgust and other eating disorder symptoms, help is available.

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References:

[1] Glasofer, D. R.; Albano, A. M.; Simpson, H. B.; and Steinglass, J. E. (2016). Overcoming fear of eating: A case study of a novel use of exposure and response prevention. Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.), 53(2), 223–231. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000048
[2] Klass, K. (February 28, 2017). Eating Disorders: ‘The fear is weight gain.’ Montgomery Advertiser. https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2017/02/28/eating-disorders-fear-weight-gain/98492464/
[3] Bell, K.; Coulthard, H.; and Wildbur, D. (2017). Self-Disgust within Eating Disordered Groups: Associations with Anxiety, Disgust Sensitivity and Sensory Processing. European Eating Disorders Review: The Journal of the Eating Disorders Association, 25(5), 373–380. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2529
[4] Anderson, L. M.; Reilly, E. E.; Thomas, J. J.; Eddy, K. T.; Franko, D. L.; Hormes, J. M.; and Anderson, D. A. (2018). Associations among fear, disgust, and eating pathology in undergraduate men and women. Appetite, 125, 445–453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.02.017

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About Our Sponsor:

The Refuge, A Healing Place, is a nationally respected provider of treatment for adults who have been struggling with eating disorders.

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective on eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Published April 3, 2024, on EatingDisorderHope.com
Reviewed & Approved on April 3, 2024, by Baxter Ekern, MBA