Putting It Together: Eating and Sleep Disorders

In this module, we learned about eating and sleep disorders and their treatments. It is important to note that neither eating and sleep disorders are choices. Rather, eating disorders are a mental illness, not a lifestyle choice. Eating disorders affect all human beings regardless of gender and age, despite socio-cultural myths that only women are affected.

There are many health contributors to sleep disorders, including physical traits (i.e., weight and nose and throat anatomy) and environmental influences (i.e., stress, trauma, caffeine, and shift work). Sleep disorders have a significant negative effect on a person’s mental health and physical well being.  

The treatment of eating and sleep disorders is complex, and effective treatment is often a combination of approaches including biological, cognitive, humanistic, behavioral. In summary, both eating and sleep disorders can be disruptive to a person’s life and cause life-threatening complications threatening their medical stability. Treatment for both eating and sleep disorders is possible and people should seek help with expedience and with support from family and their communities.