Can you inherit an Eating Disorder?

[Fallen_embers]

I have an eating disorder and I know what hell it can be, I also have several friends suffering from one too. I lost my cousin last December to bullimia/anorexia. She had damaged her body so much and her heart was so weak she had a heart attack and there was nothing anyone could do, she had been suffering from an ED since she was 13/14 apparently. her boyfriend found her 2 days later. He thought she had fallen out with him because she'd refused to answer her calls ect.

She has a 12 year old daughter, who has been living with her father since Libby died. It's just that she came to stay with us for a few weeks while her Dad was away on business and I noticed her doing the things I used to do, before I totally lost control. Avoiding meal times and the excuses.

( In our household it's easy to get away without eating, we have to fend for ourselves because Dad is so lazy and such a bastard he spends all the money we have on booze. )

I must admit, it's not the ideal enviroment for a 12 year old. But she has no other family to stay with.
Me and my brother have tried to restore normality, setting times for dinner and lunch ect. Taking her out in the day to get her away from the house and Dad.

She came to visit me this morning and she looks so tired. Its so hard to describe. But I was wondering. Is it possible to prevent an ED from developing? Like the thoughts you have before you decide to "take action" would councelling help or something? She's younger than I was when I started, I don't want to watch her fade away too. But then I guess I must be the biggest hypocrite there, what with my eating habbits :(

When my brother spoke to her Dad about it he said she was probably still grieving but now I'm not so sure. It just doesn't "feel" right. And with her mother having an ED too, and me, I think she may have picked up habbits from Libby and then me when she stayed with us. She was never told about her mums ED according to my aunty Emily.
:confused:
Could your genes be responsible for it? I've tried researching it and I'm just getting so lost. I don't know how to help :(

[Electric]

Yes, eating disorders are genetic- think about it kind of like alcoholism. Alcoholism is genetic, but if you know it runs in your family, therefore you avoid alcohol, you won't become alcoholic. I'd say the best thing for her would be to educate her on what happened to her mother and promote positive body image for her.

[Bougainvillea]

I don't think inherit is the right word.
I think it's more of a learned behavior.

And she most likely is dealing with depression. I would get her help IMMEDIATELY.

[BuryYourFlame]

Yes, eating disorders are genetic- think about it kind of like alcoholism. Alcoholism is genetic, but if you know it runs in your family, therefore you avoid alcohol, you won't become alcoholic. I'd say the best thing for her would be to educate her on what happened to her mother and promote positive body image for her.

I dont think that is right...it would take many generations for the eating disorder to effect the actual genes of someone...so until that happens...i think it would merely be classed as a learned behaviour, nothing genetic, you can't know that her mother was the reason she could have an ED, maybe people who have ED's don't have a parent/parents who have/had a similar condition.

[Electric]

I dont think that is right...it would take many generations for the eating disorder to effect the actual genes of someone...so until that happens...i think it would merely be classed as a learned behaviour, nothing genetic, you can't know that her mother was the reason she could have an ED, maybe people who have ED's don't have a parent/parents who have/had a similar condition.


Keep in mind I did not say that genetics is the only way to develop an eating disorder (i myself know that first hand). All I was saying is that it can be passed on through genetics, after all it is a mental illness. I've gotten my information through several doctors, teachers, and articles of research.

[BuryYourFlame]

Yes, eating disorders are genetic

sorry, but that leads me to believe that you did think that, my mistake.

I still think that if the daughter does have an eating disorder, it wouldn't be because of the mother's past experiences.

[AllThatIsLeft]

Though it's possible, i think this is more about nurture than nature.

She has been exposed to it quite a lot, explaining why would take up this bad habit.

Also genetic usually skip generations, i'm not saying it's not possible, just unlikely.

probably a learned behavior rather than genetics.

[Atonement]

Lets make this clear:

Eating disorders are not genetic. Low serotonin levels cause chronic depression which can result in eating disorders, but due to the pre disposition of the person in question, it is realated through genetics, but there is not eating disorder gene. The best way to combat this is through medical attention.

[Fallen_embers]

Thanks for the advice.
I suppose it makes sense if she has learnt the behaviour as shes lived with her all her mum all her life.
though if shes learned the behaviour, would it be easier to sort with the proper treatment, than if she actually has the mental illness?

[BlackenedSilver]

If it's only learnt behaviour it will be easier to get her out of the habit, but I think that would mean that you all sit down for regular meals, this can then still teach her to eat at regular times everyday.
I would try to get her help/out of the habit as soon as possible if she does have an eating disorder. I know a few people that know that their "Mothers, Aunties, Grandparents etc.." Have/had eating disorders and they developed one and it quickly developed to be quite serious.

[Fallen_embers]

Thanks for the advice. :)
aaah this is going to be so hard considering my eating issues as well