Eating disorders are caused by abnormal eating patterns. These could be overeating or inadequate food intake. Many people tend to eat more food to suppress extreme emotions and depression. They use the snacks and food indulged in as escape routes to deal with emotional stress or bad relationships. Some common eating disorders are anorexia, compulsive eating, binge eating and bulimia. These eating disorders are curable if they are detected in time and medical advice is followed. It is also possible to have multiple eating disorders. People who suffer from eating disorders become very weak emotionally. They use food as a medium to relieve themselves. Emotional support is the most essential requirement to treat these individuals.

Self-esteem problems are at the core of many eating disorders. They also play a role in other conditions, such as depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, self-injury and suicide. Depression may precede eating disorders and contribute to their onset. It has also been observed that living with the eating disorder leads to depression.

Depressive disorders are known to affect the way an individual eats, sleeps and feels about himself and others. Without treatment, the symptoms may last for weeks, months or even an entire lifetime. Proper and timely treatment can help to eradicate the cause for depression. Depressive illness often interferes with usual functioning and causes pain and distress.

Psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both is helpful. Psychotherapy involves talking about specific feelings with a qualified professional equipped to help individuals to alter relationships and thoughts.

Medication that treats severe and disabling depression is available. At times, several medicines are tried out before the doctor finds the one that works best. A regular and monitored well-balanced diet is the safest way to battle these disorders and in the bargain deal with depression effectively.