Does Lana Del Rey have an Eating Disorder?

In this blog, we will answer the question “Does Lana Del Rey have an Eating Disorder?” and also cover topics who is Lana Del Ray, her struggles with an eating disorder, its symptoms, types, causes, treatment, and also answer frequently asked questions

Does Lana Del Rey have an Eating Disorder?

Yes, Lana had struggled in the past with an eating disorder called anorexia nervosa and even rolled out a song based on it.  We will discuss her struggles and all about eating disorders in the further sections.  

Who is Lana Del Rey?

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer and songwriter. Her music is noted for its cinematic quality and exploration of tragic romance, glamor, and melancholia, containing references to contemporary pop culture and 1950s–1960s Americana. 

Lana and her song about Anorexia

Back in the year 2012, Lana released a song called ‘boarding school’ where through her lyrics she mentioned her past struggles with Anorexia nervosa

“I’m a fan of pro-ana-nation

I do them drugs to stop the f-food cravings

If you wanna get high with me

I’m in the back doing crack, drinking P-P-Pepsi”

Here pro-ana-nation refers to anorexia.

She received numerous backlashes for this song and even has a plate full of admiration. But the point comes to the fact that through all, she recovered from the rubbles of an eating disorder.

Lana Del Rey and her beautiful voice

Have you ever heard somebody sing so beautifully that the notes and words get stuck to your eardrums? That you keep listening to it throughout your day until your brain stops functioning and you enter into another plane of this universe?

Well, yeah we might have exaggerated but that’s how Lana Del Rey should be described, to be honest. 

What are eating disorders? 

Eating disorders are a category of mental conditions that cause people to acquire unhealthy eating habits. They may begin with a preoccupation with food, body weight, shape or body form.

Eating disorders can have serious health consequences if left untreated, and in extreme cases, they can even lead to death.

Eating disorders can show themselves in a number of different ways. The majority, on the other hand, involve severe dietary restriction, eating binges, or purging behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise.

Types of eating disorders 

Anorexia nervosa 

People with anorexia believe they are overweight, even though they are dangerously underweight. They prefer to keep a close check on their weight, avoid certain foods, and reduce their calorie consumption to a minimum. One of the most well-known eating disorders is anorexia nervosa.

Common symptoms of anorexia

  • Comparing your weight with other people and constantly considering yourself as underweight 
  • Following a restricted diet 
  • Continuous fear of gaining weight even if they are underweight 
  • Body shape influence their self-confidence and self-esteem 
  • They deny the fact that they are underweight 

Bulimia nervosa 

Bulimia patients commonly consume unusually large amounts of food in a short period of time.

Each binge eating episode usually lasts until the person is completely satisfied. During a binge, the person usually feels unable to stop eating or regulate the amount of food consumed.

Forced vomiting, fasting, laxatives, diuretics, enemas, and extreme exercise are all common purging methods. Purging helps the person to get rid of the shame and guilt caused by binge-eating. 

Symptoms of bulimia nervosa include : 

  • Recurrent binge eating episodes in which a person feels out of control 
  • Recurrent purging episodes to avoid gaining weight 
  • Self-esteem dependent on body weight 
  • Fear of gaining weight 

Binge eating disorder 

Individuals with binge eating disorders frequently consume unusually large amounts of food in a short period of time and experience a loss of control during binges.

Common symptoms of binge eating disorder include:

  • Eating large quantities of food even when not hungry
  • Feeling shame and guilt while talking about binge eating behaviors. 
  • No compensation for binging behaviors by vomiting or using laxatives etc. 

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

It is a relatively new term that replaces the phrase “feeding disorder of infancy and early childhood,” a diagnosis previously reserved specifically for children under 7 years old.

ARFID is most common in infancy or adolescence, however, it can last until adulthood. Furthermore, it has an equal impact on men and women.

A lack of appetite or a dislike for specific odors, tastes, colors, textures, or temperatures can induce disturbed eating, which is a sign of this disease.

Common ARFID symptoms:

  • Avoiding or restricting food intake that prevents the person from consuming enough calories 
  • Avoid eating with others such as parties or weddings 
  • weight loss or stunted growth for age and height 
  • nutrient deficiencies or reliance on supplements or tube feeding

Causes of anorexia nervosa

Anorexia’s actual cause is unknown. It’s likely a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental components.

Biological 

Although it’s unclear which genes are involved, certain people may be at a higher risk of having anorexia due to genetic abnormalities. Some people may be predisposed to perfectionism, sensitivity, and perseverance, all of which are attributes linked to anorexia.

Psychological

Some people with anorexia have obsessive-compulsive personality traits, which make it easier for them to stick to rigid diets and avoid eating even when they are hungry. They may have an excessive need for perfection, leading them to believe they are never skinny enough. They may also suffer from high levels of anxiety and use a restrictive diet to cope.

Environmental

The emphasis on thinness is prevalent in modern Western culture. Being slim is frequently associated with success and worth. Peer pressure, especially among young girls, may contribute to the desire to be skinny.

Treatment of eating disorders

A healthcare professional will develop a thorough strategy to meet the individual’s unique requirements. It will entail a group of specialists who can assist the person in overcoming physical, emotional, social, and psychological obstacles.

Some of the treatment methods that can be helpful include- 

  • CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy), can help a person find new ways of thinking, behaving, and managing stress
  • family and individual counseling, as per requirement 
  • nutritional therapy, which teaches people how to use food to build and maintain health
  • medication to treat depression and anxiety
  • nutritional supplementation to correct nutritional deficiencies 
  • hospital treatment in some extreme cases, 

Treatment might be difficult for someone suffering from anorexia nervosa. As a result, the person’s therapeutic engagement may vary. Relapses are possible, especially in the first two years of treatment.

Family and friends can be really helpful. They can support the client during recovery and help prevent a relapse if they understand the disorder and can recognize its indications and symptoms.

If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.

Other Celebrities who have struggled with eating disorders

Hillary Duff

Hilary Duff weighed barely 98 pounds at the height of her eating disorder when she was 17. “Everything I put in my mouth was completely preoccupied with me.” She admitted, “I was way too tiny.” “It’s not cute.” 

And my body wasn’t in great shape—my hands would cramp up all the time because I wasn’t receiving enough nutrients,” she told Health in 2015. “What was it about desiring something different than what I had? I’m sorry for it.”

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga talked up about her battles with eating disorders when speaking at an event in 2012. “When I was in high school, I used to throw up all the time.” So I’m not sure,” she explained. 

“I wanted to be a thin little ballerina, but I was a plump little Italian child whose father served meatballs every night.” Her bulimia began to impact her singing at one point. “It was affecting my voice, so I had to stop.”

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift revealed a lot in her new Netflix documentary Miss Americana, including a long-kept eating disorder that was precipitated by paparazzi photos and nasty comments about her physique. “I thought I was supposed to feel like I was about to pass out at the conclusion or in the middle of a show.” 

No, you can do all these shows and not feel it if you consume food, have energy, and get stronger, which is a really fantastic realization because I’m a lot happier with who I am now, and I don’t care as much if someone points out that I’ve gained weight,” she said.

Conclusion 

It does not matter as to which celebrity had an eating disorder but the main moral comes from the fact that you are not alone. Do not let anything get you down, you have immense potential in you, and the will to reach out for the right kind of treatment.  The only person who can tell you cannot do it is you, and you don’t have to listen. 

Frequently asked Questions (FAQs): Does Lana Del Rey have an Eating Disorder?

Why did Lana Del Rey change her name?

Lana changed her name to make an impact. She wanted to reflect her music and words through her name that carries the classic glamor, Californian culture, and the beach, of course.

What ethnicity is Lana Del Rey?

She was raised Roman Catholic and is of Scottish descent. Her ancestors were from Lanarkshire.

Can you look healthy with an eating disorder?

So, to be clear, there’s no such thing as appearing like you have an eating disorder—or, for that matter, looking like you’re in recovery. Disordered eating can have a variety of effects on your appearance, including weight loss, weight increase, and, believe it or not, no weight change at all.

What does orthorexia look like?

Orthorexia Nervosa is a disordered eating pattern marked by a strong desire to eat “clean” and “pure” foods to the point where the person gets obsessed with it. Perfectionism and isolation is frequently linked to orthorexia Nervosa. 

What is restrictive anorexia?

A person with anorexia nervosa’s restrictive subtype drastically restricts their calorie intake, and weight reduction is primarily achieved through dieting, fasting, and/or extreme activity. In the last three months, no recurrent bouts of binge eating or purging have been seen.

What eating disorder did Lana have?

According to her interview at the Rolling Stones and her song, Lana del Rey had Anorexia nervosa.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lana_Del_Rey
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lana-del-rey-vamp-of-constant-sorrow-74230/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/adele-lagerfeld_n_1269279

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