In the given reality, many people struggle with their mental well-being, which received more awareness and importance. However, while some people choose to seek medical attention, others wish not to follow this path, which frequently leads to comorbidity. For instance, earring disorders and stress might illustrate the causal relationship. Therefore, treatment for eating disorders can be challenging and can usually co-occur with other mental health issues. However, while focusing on the general public when studying such issues, many pay less attention to the military personnel who, as per research, show a greater presence of mental health issues.
The incidence of eating disorders in the military was studied by some academics. For example, according to Touma and colleagues (2022), based on demographic data, 21 research produced prevalence estimates with various rates. Exposure to trauma is frequently linked to the emergence of eating disorders (Touma et al., 2022). In this situation, among the reasons why soldiers and veterans develop such issues are due to psychological pressure, stress, and abuse. Consequently, people with eating issues are affected by the condition and might develop depression (Touma et al., 2022). However, compared to civilians, 86% of self-identified military members and retirees who tested positive for any eating disorder had never sought medical attention (Flatt et al., 2021). Notably, 56.7% of those who responded to an optional question on their desire to seek therapy said they would not (Flatt et al., 2021). As a result, soldiers develop an eating disorder due to external factors, which affect their mental and physical health, but it remains one of the issues that many individuals refuse to solve.
Hence, when researching such topics, many give less attention to military people who, according to studies, exhibit a more significant presence of mental health difficulties than the general population. The onset of eating problems is typically connected to trauma exposure. In this case, psychological strain, anxiety, and abuse are among the causes of why soldiers and veterans have such problems. As a result, those who have eating disorders are impacted by the disease and may experience depression.
References
Flatt, R. E., Norman, E., Thornton, L. M., Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E., Balantekin, K. N., Smolar, L.,… & Bulik, C. M. (2021). Eating disorder behaviors and treatment seeking in self-identified military personnel and veterans: Results of the National Eating Disorders Association online screening. Eating Behaviors, 43, 101562. Web.
Touma, D. A., Quinn, M. E., Freeman, V. E., & Meyer, E. G. (2022). Eating disorders in U.S. active duty military members and veterans: A Systematic Review. Military Medicine, 5, 80. Web.