One Reason Eating Disorder Behaviors Are Hard to Stop |
Repeated behaviors can shift from choices to automatic habits.
Habit circuits may help explain persistent eating disorder-related behaviors.
Practicing new behaviors consistently can help build recovery routines.
Are you—or a loved one—seemingly compelled to diet, purge, binge, or exercise? If so, many people believe they are “weak” or “failing” and need to try harder. Yet another possibility is that the brain’s habit systems have become very strong, and you—or they—could be entering disordered eating or even eating disorder territory. Let me explain.
Though the following is oversimplified, a habit is a behavior that shifts from requiring attention and effort to happening with little conscious thought. Human beings often repeat behaviors that feel rewarding. Gradually, thoughts and actions connected to those rewards can become automatic patterns (Graybiel & Smith, 2014). From a neuroscience perspective, control of a behavior can gradually shift from deliberate decision-making systems toward more automated habit-learning circuits involving the striatum (Zikereya et al., 2023).
Put simply, the brain becomes efficient at doing what it practices. Behaviors that are enacted frequently (especially those tied to emotional relief, a sense of control, or perceived success) can become learned patterns. For example, think about brushing your teeth. When you first started as a child, it probably required reminders and concentration. Over time, it likely became routine.
This kind of efficiency is helpful in many parts of life. In fact, much of daily life depends on habits, allowing the brain to conserve energy by automating behaviors that once required effort and concentration. But this same efficiency can also make certain patterns difficult to interrupt once they become established.
Consider dieting, meaning restricting food intake below what the body needs to maintain weight.........