Signs and Symptoms of Starvation and Its Effects on Mental Health
Overview of Starvation and Malnutrition
Malnutrition and starvation are important issues that affect millions of people globally. These conditions not only wreak havoc on physical health but also on mental well-being. Malnutrition, a condition resulting from an inadequate or unbalanced diet lacking essential nutrients, can lead to starvation, where the body starts consuming its own tissues for energy.
This article explores the connection between malnutrition and starvation, and their effects on eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa.
Understanding Malnutrition and Starvation
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies or excesses in a person’s intake of nutrients. Malnutrition generally covers four groups of conditions. They are:
● Undernutrition, which includes wasting (low weight for height)
● Stunting (low height for age)
● Underweight (low weight for age)
● The other is overweight, which is obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer).
Recent statistics indicate that nearly 828 million people worldwide suffer from malnutrition of some form.
Starvation occurs when you’re unable to consume enough calories to meet your body's energy needs, leading to the body consuming its own tissue for fuel. This can result in severe weight loss, muscle atrophy, and in extreme cases, death.
What Happens When You Starve
When a person starves, the body initially uses up glycogen stores for energy. Once these are used up, the body starts breaking down fat and muscle tissue for fuel. This process leads to rapid weight loss and muscle atrophy. Over time, the body’s metabolic rate slows down to conserve energy, which can result in fatigue, weakness, and organ damage. Continued
starvation can lead to severe health issues, including heart failure, immune system dysfunction, and irreversible damage to organs.
Causes of Malnutrition or Starvation
Food Insecurity
Food insecurity refers to the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active and healthy life. It is a major cause of malnutrition and starvation. Food insecurity can result from various factors including poverty, unemployment, and social isolation. It affects people’s ability to afford healthy foods, leading to nutrient deficiencies and chronic hunger.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders, particularly Anorexia Nervosa (AN), can be major contributors to malnutrition. Anorexia Nervosa is characterised by an intense fear of gaining weight, leading people to restrict their food intake. This restriction results in severe weight loss and malnutrition. Unlike other causes of starvation which may be due to external circumstances, Anorexia Nervosa is a psychological disorder where the fear of gaining weight overrides the body’s natural hunger signals, leading to self-imposed starvation.
Substance Use & Addiction
Many substances, such as alcohol and drugs, suppress appetite and affect the body's ability to absorb and utilise nutrients. Over time, substance abuse could lead to severe nutrient deficiencies and chronic malnutrition.
Climate Change & Disasters
Climate change and natural disasters can disrupt food production and supply chains, leading to food scarcity and increased prices. Extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, destroy crops and reduce food availability, contributing to malnutrition and starvation, particularly in certain communities that do not have access to proper resources.
Poverty
Limited financial resources restrict access to nutritious food, leading to a need to rely on cheap, calorie-dense, but nutrient-poor foods. This dietary pattern results in deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, leading to chronic malnutrition and associated health problems.
Poor Nutrition
Poor nutrition, characterised by consistently unhealthy food choices, contributes significantly to malnutrition. Diets high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats can lead to nutrient deficiencies and poor health outcomes. A lack of education about proper nutrition and limited access to healthy foods worsen this issue, especially in low-income communities.
Signs and Symptoms of Starvation or Malnutrition
While the physical consequences of starvation and malnutrition are apparent, the impact on mental health is equally as important. Proper nutrition provides the building blocks for a healthy brain, influencing neurotransmitter production, brain cell function, and overall cognitive performance. Deficiencies in essential nutrients can disrupt these processes, leading to a cascade of negative mental health effects. Let’s think about these in detail:
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms of starvation and malnutrition include:
● Weakness and Fatigue: Due to lack of energy and nutrient deficiencies. This happens due to a low calorie intake. Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and Magnesium are some essentials whose absence in the body leads to fatigue.
● Weight Loss: Rapid weight loss is an obvious sign of starvation as it implies a low calorie intake.
● Muscle Atrophy: The body starts consuming muscle tissue for energy.
● Dry, Flaky Skin: Nutrient deficiencies also impact skin health, and can contribute to dry and flaky skin.
● Hair Loss: Due to lack of essential nutrients needed for hair growth.
● Brittle Nails: Malnutrition affects the health of nails, making them weak and brittle. ● Anaemia: Caused by iron deficiency, leading to pale skin and fatigue.
● Weakened Immune System: Getting infected with common diseases often is a sign of malnutrition.
Emotional & Behavioral Signs
Poor nutrition also effects on mental health and behaviour. Emotional and behavioural signs of starvation and malnutrition include:
- Anxiety: Malnutrition affects brain function, leading to increased anxiety levels.
- Depression: Lack of essential nutrients can result in mood disorders and depression.
- Irritability: Hunger and nutrient deficiencies can cause irritability and mood swings.
- Cognitive Impairment: Difficulty concentrating and impaired decision-making abilities.
- Obsessive Behaviour: Particularly in eating disorders like AN, where obsessive thoughts about food and weight are common.
- Social Withdrawal: Avoiding social interactions due to anxiety or body image issues.
Starvation Symptoms in Children
Children are a lot more vulnerable to the effects of malnutrition and starvation since their organs, especially their brain, are under development. Symptoms in children are:
● Stunted Growth: Insufficient nutrients can impair physical growth and development. ● Developmental Delays: Lack of essential nutrients affects cognitive and motor development.
● Frequent Infections: A weakened immune system makes it easy to get infected with diseases.
● Irritability and Lethargy: Lack of energy and nutrients can make children irritable and lethargic.
Starvation Symptoms in Adults
In adults, starvation shows up in various ways:
● Severe Weight Loss: Noticeable and rapid loss of body weight.
● Fatigue: Continuous tiredness due to lack of energy.
● Muscle Weakness: Loss of muscle mass leading to weakness.
● Cognitive Decline: Difficulty concentrating and memory problems.
● Emotional Instability: Increased anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
● Menstrual Irregularities: In women, starvation can lead to missed or irregular periods.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms of malnutrition and starvation are:
● Digestive Issues: Malnutrition can cause problems like diarrhoea, constipation, and bloating.
● Bone Health Issues: Deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis and fractures.
● Skin Problems: Dry, flaky skin, and frequent skin infections.
● Dental Issues: Poor nutrition affects oral health, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. ● Cold Intolerance: Reduced body fat and slowed metabolism make it difficult to stay warm.
The Mind Under Siege: Mental Side Effects of Starvation or Malnutrition
Brain & Nervous System Impact
Malnutrition affects the brain and nervous system, leading to what is called brain starvation. The brain requires a constant supply of nutrients, including glucose, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, to function correctly. When these nutrients are scarce due to malnutrition or starvation, several negative effects may occur:
● Cognitive Decline: The brain's cognitive functions, such as memory, learning, and problem-solving, may decline. This is due to the reduced availability of glucose, which is the primary energy source for brain cells.
● Neurological Disorders: Deficiencies in essential nutrients, particularly B vitamins, can lead to neurological disorders. For example, a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1) can cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a severe brain disorder that leads to the loss of mental activity that can progress to coma and death.
● Structural Changes: Prolonged malnutrition can lead to structural changes in the brain, including reduced brain volume and white matter abnormalities. These changes can harm brain function and lead to long-term cognitive issues.
Mental Health Risks
Malnutrition and starvation increase the risk of developing mental health conditions. Some of the most common mental health risks include:
- Depression: Nutrient deficiencies, particularly in omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and B vitamins, are linked to an increased risk of depression. Malnutrition affects the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which are crucial for mood regulation.
- Anxiety: The stress of food insecurity and the physiological effects of malnutrition can lead to increased anxiety levels. Nutrient deficiencies can also impact the brain's stress response systems.
- Irritability and Mood Swings: Malnutrition can cause irritability and frequent mood swings due to hormonal imbalances and the brain's impaired ability to regulate emotions.
- Cognitive Impairments: Malnutrition affects concentration, decision-making, and overall cognitive function, increasing the risk of cognitive disorders.
- Obsessive Behaviours: Especially in the context of eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa, malnutrition can lead to obsessive thoughts about food and body weight.
How Does Malnutrition Affect the Brain in Adults
In adults, malnutrition can have severe and sometimes irreversible effects on brain function:
● Memory Loss: Nutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamins like B12, can lead to memory loss and cognitive decline.
● Mental Fatigue: The lack of essential nutrients results in mental fatigue, making it difficult to concentrate and perform daily tasks.
● Emotional Instability: Adults suffering from malnutrition often experience emotional instability, including increased irritability, depression, and anxiety.
● Slowed Cognitive Function: Malnutrition slows down cognitive processes, making it harder for adults to think clearly, solve problems, and make decisions.
● Neurological Symptoms: Severe malnutrition can lead to neurological symptoms like tingling and numbness in the extremities, caused by deficiencies in vitamins such as B12.
Breaking the Cycle: Treatment and Recovery
Addressing malnutrition and starvation requires tackling both the physical and mental aspects of the conditions.
- Nutritional Rehabilitation: Providing balanced, nutrient-rich diets to restore physical health.
- Medical Intervention: Addressing specific deficiencies and any complications resulting from prolonged malnutrition.
- Public services and policies: Improving access and subsidising the costs of food, which is a basic necessity, could go a long way.
- Cutting down on processed food: Processed food, which is not very nutritious, could be minimised in one’s diet to restore physical health.
- Mental Health Support: Offering psychological support to address mental health issues and eating disorders.
- Education and Counseling: Educating people about proper nutrition and healthy eating habits.
Here’s what you can ask your psychiatrist on your first visit.
FAQ
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Starvation Mode?
Initially, when someone begins to eat again after a period of starvation, the body focuses on replenishing depleted glycogen stores and essential nutrients. However, full recovery is a harder process that involves restoring metabolic functions, rebuilding muscle mass, and addressing any underlying health issues caused by malnutrition that went on for too long.
For someone severely malnourished, complete recovery can take several months or even years. It requires consistent following of a balanced diet that provides sufficient calories, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Medical supervision and nutritional counselling are very important during the recovery period to track your progress, manage any complications, and ensure that nutritional needs are met. The rate of recovery also changes based on personal factors such as age, current health conditions, and the presence of mental health issues like eating disorders.
Can Malnutrition Cause Depression?
Yes, malnutrition can contribute to the development of depression. On the other hand, depression starvation, which is a reduced desire to eat, caused by depression, is also very real.
Research indicates that deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins (particularly folate and B12), and minerals like zinc and magnesium, can impact brain function and mood regulation.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and nuts, play an important role in brain health and neurotransmitter function. A lack of these fats has been linked to an increased risk of depression and other mood disorders. Similarly, B vitamins are essential for the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which affects mood and emotional stability. Deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to symptoms of depression, such as persistent sadness, fatigue, and irritability.
Malnutrition also affects the brain's ability to manage stress and emotions. The physiological stress of food insecurity and the body's response to nutrient deficiencies can exacerbate existing mental health conditions or trigger new ones. People experiencing malnutrition may also face social and psychological stressors related to their health and dietary restrictions, further impacting their mental well-being.
Conclusion
After understanding the impact of starvation and malnutrition, it’s clear that these conditions extend far beyond physical health, and affect mental well-being. Addressing these issues properly, with attention to both nutritional rehabilitation and mental health support, is important for effective treatment and recovery. Here’s what your psychiatrist might ask you on your first visit.
Citations:
1) Bean, C. H. (1909). Starvation and mental development. The Psychological Clinic, 3(3), 78.
3) Bridget Clerkin (2024). Signs and symptoms of starvation. Withinhealth.
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