The impact of starvation on the brain can lead to worsening mental and emotional problems. Eating disorders are illnesses in and of themselves. They are not necessarily the product of some other illness. Of course, an eating disorder arising in a young person can affect the way his or oer personality develops. Depression is a separate problem.
Some patients feel depressed because they are struggling with a chronic illness.
However, there does seem to be a connection between a family history of mood disorder and the risk that a member may develop an eating disorder. Unfortunately, overconcern about one's body is normal in our culture. But when other emotional pressures bear down on a vulnerable person, the risk rises that she'll develop an eating disorder. There' not enough evidence to show that these alone can cause an eating disorder. However, there is evidence that imbalances in some vitamins or minerals may cause certain problems.