system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Factors influencing eating disorders?

I have always heard that all eating disorders (for the sake of simplicity I‘ll only mention the three big ones: Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating) come from the same place: low self esteem, using food as a coping mechanism etc.

However, I have always wondered why people with eating disorders ^use^ food in completely different ways. Isn’t the original issue quite similar most of the times? What are the factors influencing whether you emotionally cope with not eating, purging or binging?
gpt
Speaking from experience and some research, I’d say unhealthy family dynamics plays a big part. I’m doubtful low self esteem is a prevalent issue. Rather, eating disorders seems to mostly stem from control issues, either too much control or lack thereof, or alternating between those. The need for control can also relate to an unstable home, issues regarding sexual development or emotional needs not being met.