Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders Do Affect Your Sleep

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You are probably aware of the side effects of eating disorders and how they affect your body and mental health. But did you know it could also be affecting your sleep?

There have been studies that show a correlation between certain types of eating disorders, unhealthy eating behaviors, and having issues sleeping.

Unhealthy Eating and Sleeping Habits may come together.

The first way your lack of sleep could be affecting your eating disorder, and vice versa, is that one unhealthy habit often leads to another. People who suffer from eating disorders often find many different areas of their life and health is at jeopardy. Not just the immediate health concerns, but things like your mental health and problems sleeping. Your body might not get the nutrients it needs to find good rest at night, so you find yourself with insomnia.
It also can work the other way around. Where you are having issues sleeping, and suddenly you have a larger appetite, or unhealthy eating habits you used to suffer with suddenly come back. It is all related to how you feel and your emotional health, which sleep deprivation unfortunately can really have a negative effect on.

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Sleep-Related Eating Disorder

There is also an eating disorder called sleep-related eating disorder, with unusual eating patterns at night. This is often related to a type of sleepwalking. People get up at night, eat whatever they find in the kitchen. In the morning, they don’t remember doing it.
This isn’t just a sleepwalking issue, but also emotional health one. Patients wake up and realize how much they have eaten. It is an unconscious form of overeating that can develop into other types of eating disorders and unhealthy eating patterns. This is why sleepwalking should be treated properly to avoid this disorder.

Lack of Sleep May Cause Binge Eating.

You might also notice that on the days when you have a larger appetite, you didn’t get good sleep the night before. One of the side effects of sleep deprivation is having appetite changes, usually where your body craves more food. You might notice binge eating when you have continued lack of sleep, particularly cravings for unhealthy food like sugar and refined carbohydrates.

It is important that you really focus getting on proper sleep for your mind and body. Your health and wellness rely on you to get proper rest in order for the other functions of your body and mind to work properly. When you don’t get enough sleep, it can lead to overeating, not eating enough, or developing otherwise unhealthy eating habits.

If you have a history of mental illness, which is often linked to eating disorders or any unhealthy eating behavior.