Insights from the Adapted To Flee Famine Hypothesis.
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions influenced by a multitude of factors, including genetic, psychological, and socio-cultural elements. One prevalent factor in the development and perpetuation of eating disorders is the tendency to compare ourselves to others. This article explores how these comparisons relate to eating disorders through the lens of the Adapted to Flee Famine Hypothesis (AFFH) and why it is crucial to let go of these comparisons in the recovery process. We will also discuss techniques to help individuals stop comparing themselves to others, fostering a healthier mindset.
The Adapted to Flee Famine Hypothesis
The Adapted to Flee Famine Hypothesis, proposed by Shan Guisinger, (to find out more, read my post on the Adapted to Flee Famine Hypothesis here) posits that certain traits associated with anorexia nervosa may have evolved as adaptive responses to famine conditions in our ancestral past. During times of scarcity, individuals who could maintain high energy levels and suppress hunger cues might have been more capable of migrating to areas with more abundant resources. This hypothesis suggests that the restrictive behaviours and hyperactivity seen in anorexia could be seen as evolutionary survival mechanisms to food scarcity.
During times of scarcity, individuals who could maintain high energy levels and suppress hunger cues might have been more capable of migrating to areas with more abundant resources.
If food resources were scarce, our ancestors would have probably done better by hunting and gathering somewhere else. To migrate efficiently, individuals’ bodies would have to turn OFF the usual adaptations to starvation, such as extreme fatigue and painful hunger pangs. The ability to stop foraging locally and ignore food, to feel restless and energetic, and to deny one’s dangerously thin appearance are proposed by the AFFH to be adaptive mechanisms that would have facilitated migration to abundant lands and in turn, maximize chances of survival.
The ability to stop foraging locally and ignore food, to feel restless and energetic, and to deny one’s dangerously thin appearance are proposed by the AFFH to be adaptive mechanisms that would have facilitated migration to abundant lands and in turn, maximize chances of survival.
The reason the AFFH is so relevant here, is because it also offers a biological reason for why you compare. Consider this : as a hunter-gatherer resources have become scarce, and you now have two options: wait around for food to reappear or take action and migrate to the abundant lands. So your tribe chooses the second option; you are all walking to more abundant lands as quickly as possible before the situation becomes dire. So, you become super energized and active and your physical hunger cues will most likely turn off so you don’t have time to get distracted by those. You need to stay focused on reaching lands where food is plentiful for your whole tribe.
While you’re trekking towards the lands of abundance, you pass some berry bushes and some of your tribe members stop to eat. But a few berries are far from enough to keep anyone alive, and you know that. You have to keep on moving if you want to maximize your chances of survival, meaning the individuals that stop to eat along the way will most likely get left behind.
From a biological point of view, you’re in a competition with your tribe members to see who can get to the abundant lands first, which is why it can feel so rewarding seeing others eat more than you. It can feel almost euphoric to see others eating high-calorie foods and there can be strong feelings of superiority, pleasure in your self-discipline or having the answer to some kind of secret. In fact, researchers have found increased levels of corticosterone in the brain of active anorexia sufferers, which stimulates feelings of euphoria and hyperactivity.
researchers have found increased levels of corticosterone in the brain of active anorexia sufferers, which stimulates feelings of euphoria and hyperactivity.
Remember that our body’s survival mechanisms are regulated by our brainstem - a part of the brain that controls automatic, survival functions and has nothing to do with thought or logic. So in the modern world, where food generally, if we're lucky, is abundant, these same traits become maladaptive, contributing to the development and maintenance of eating disorders. The social environment , so heavily underpinned now by the diet culture (which is characterized by constant comparison and the glorification of thinness), only exacerbates these tendencies. Comparisons fuel the drive for thinness and perfection, trapping us in a cycle of disordered eating and body dissatisfaction.
Comparisons fuel the drive for thinness and perfection, trapping us in a cycle of disordered eating and body dissatisfaction.
The Detrimental Effects of Comparison in Eating Disorders
Comparisons can be especially harmful for people with eating disorders for several reasons:
Reinforcement of Negative Self-Perception: Comparing ourselves to others can result in feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. For someone struggling with an eating disorder, this reinforces the belief that we need to change our body to be valued or accepted.
Perpetuation of Disordered Behaviours: Seeing others' bodies, eating habits, or exercise routines can trigger and perpetuate restrictive eating, over-exercising, or other disordered behaviours as we strive to emulate what we perceive as ideal.
Distorted Reality: Social media and societal standards often present unrealistic and edited versions of reality. Constant comparison to these unattainable standards only distort our perception of what is healthy or normal, leading to increasingly disordered behaviours.
The Importance of Letting Go of Comparisons in Recovery
Recovery from an eating disorder requires, among many other things, a fundamental shift in mindset. Letting go of comparisons is a critical component of this process. Here’s why it is important:
Fostering Self-Acceptance: Recovery involves learning to accept and appreciate our own body and abilities. This self-acceptance is undermined by constant comparison to others.
Reducing Triggers: By minimizing comparisons, we can reduce the triggers that often lead to disordered eating behaviours, making it easier to develop and maintain healthier habits.
Building Authenticity: Recovery is about discovering and embracing our true self. Letting go of comparisons allows us to focus on our unique journey and needs rather than trying to conform to external standards.
Techniques to Stop Comparing
Mindfulness and Self-Awareness: Practicing mindfulness can help us become more aware of when we are making comparisons and understand the emotional triggers behind these thoughts.
Limiting Social Media Exposure: Reducing time spent on social media or curating feeds to include more body-positive and diverse representations can help minimize harmful comparisons.
Cognitive Behavioural Techniques: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be effective in challenging and changing comparison-driven thoughts. Techniques include identifying and reframing negative thoughts, practicing self-compassion, and setting realistic, personal goals.
Gratitude Journaling: Keeping a journal of things we are grateful for can shift focus away from comparisons and towards positive aspects of our own life.
Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People: Building a supportive network of friends, family, and professionals who encourage self-acceptance can provide a buffer against the urge to compare.
Engaging in Fulfilling Activities: Pursuing hobbies and activities that bring joy and fulfilment can help us focus on their strengths and passions rather than our perceived shortcomings.
Comparing ourselves to others is a natural human tendency but is particularly destructive for those with eating disorders. Understanding this behaviour through the Adapted to Flee Famine Hypothesis provides insight into why it may be so ingrained and difficult to overcome. However, recognizing the importance of letting go of comparisons and adopting practical techniques to reduce this behaviour is crucial for recovery. By focusing on self-acceptance and personal growth, we can break free from the cycle of comparison and move towards a full recovery.
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