Starvation Syndrome In Eating Disorders

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Last updated on June 27th, 2024 at 06:30 pm

Starvation syndrome is the combination of mental, physical, and social symptoms that impact people with extreme food restrictions such as in an eating disorder.

A syndrome by definition is a collection of symptoms where a definite cause is not always known. 

Starvation syndrome is characterized by: 

  1. Physical changes in the body due to insufficient food intake
  2. Mental health challenges caused by food restriction 
  3. Social withdrawal related to food avoidance

 It’s important to note that a syndrome is different than a disease in that for a disease, causes are usually evident.  

For starvation syndrome, we must identify the root cause of the condition before effective treatment can take place.  

This article explores some of the ways starvation syndrome impacts the body and brain in an eating disorder as well as ways to reverse the condition.

infographic of physical signs of starvatoin syndrome

What Causes Starvation Syndrome

We know that starvation syndrome is caused by not eating enough food to meet the body’s needs.  

Food restriction resulting in starvation syndrome might happen because of: 

  • Not having enough food available to eat
  • A medical issue that makes eating difficult
  • Intentional food restrictions such as an eating disorder

In an eating disorder, starvation can be caused by behaviors such as food restriction, excessive exercise, purging, and/or laxative use. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on intentional food restriction. 

Often times it is the initial food restriction that leads to mental and social challenges. 

Deteriorating social, mental, and physical well-being combined contribute to a diagnosis of starvation syndrome.

What Are The Effects of Starvation Syndrome

When someone experiences starvation, the symptoms are first physical.  However, starvation quickly impacts and diminishes every aspect of a person’s life.  

Studies such as the Minnesota starvation experiment can lend a lot of insight to the mental and emotional shifts that happen in the body when someone is starving. 

Physical Symptoms of Starvation

During starvation, the body alters normal metabolic processes for survival.  

Physical symptoms of starvation syndrome include: 

Mental Symptoms of Starvation

Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric disturbances can lead to intentional food restriction. Mental health concerns can also be the byproduct of starvation. 

Some mental symptoms of starvation syndrome include: 

Social Symptoms of Starvation

Food restriction because of an eating disorder can lead to social withdrawal such as: 

  • Avoiding parties and gatherings
  • Refusing to eat with family and friends
  • Refusing to eat out
  • Conflict around how food is prepared and what is eaten
  • Isolating from friends and family to hide restrictive behavior. 

What Organs Shut Down First When You’re Starving

  • Your digestion will slow.  You may experience gastroparesis
  • Your heart may begin to slow 
  • There may be changes in brain anatomy and neurotransmitters

Your body is very good at compensating for starvation. It will begin to compensate for limited food intake by simply trying to slow down metabolic processes.  

However, at some point, we will begin to see failure in major organ systems such as the kidneys, liver,  thyroid, and heart.  

Starvation syndrome components infographic

How Do I Know If My Body Is In Starvation Mode

Signs of starvation syndrome may be different from person to person. What looks like symptoms of starvation for one person may exhibit the complete opposite symptom in another person.

Here are some common ways to know if your body’s in starvation mode: 

  • You are always cold
  • You’re experiencing extreme hunger
  • You have no hunger cues at all 
  • You’re having stomach pain, bloating, or edema 
  • You are having night sweats
  • You can’t concentrate 
  • You’re always tired  

Starvation and Body Weight

infographic exploring how starvation syndrome happens in all body sizes with images of two body shadows of different sizes

You can be at normal body weight and experience starvation syndrome.  The idea that you must be in a low body weight to be starving is a myth

Someone that is within a normal BMI range but experiencing starvation may be diagnosed with atypical anorexia

Starvation in normal or large bodies versus that in small bodies includes:

  • The same physical, mental, and social declines in health
  • Sometimes greater health risks because malnutrition is not caught right away
  • Decreased access to treatment because of weight stigma
starvation syndrome support

Treating Starvation Syndrome 

Treating starvation syndrome involves re-nourishing the body.  This will often involve a mechanical eating plan uniquely tailored for your needs by an eating disorder dietitian

Steps to treating starvation syndrome include: 

  1. Following a recovery meal plan to meet nutritional needs
  2. Weight restoration including any overshoot weight necessary
  3. Having support during mealtime 
  4. Develop strategies to stop purging if you are doing so
  5. Working with a mental health counselor to navigate stress/anxiety
  6. Challenge fear foods
  7. Monitor for refeeding syndrome where necessary 
  8. Monitoring and accommodating for hypermetabolism where necessary

Staying strong during eating disorder recovery can feel impossible. Check out these eating disorder recovery books or my eating disorder story to see the journeys of others before you. 

 
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Shena Jaramillo. Registered Dietitian
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