A brand new study, published in JAMA Network Open, and led by the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital shows a surprising, possible genetic link between getting up early in the morning and developing anorexia nervosa.
I say surprising, simply because we’ve seen research suggesting that earlier waking times are often helpful for managing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
More interestingly, as the Harvard Gazette reports, there seems to be a large genetic component to this dynamic.
Some people are more predisposed to anorexia, based on their genes, and that genetic component played a big role in this key takeaway: “The findings suggest that being an early riser could increase the risk of anorexia nervosa, and having anorexia nervosa could lead to an earlier wake time.”
“Our findings implicate anorexia nervosa as a morning disorder, in contrast to most other evening-based psychiatric diseases, and support the association between anorexia nervosa and insomnia as seen in earlier studies,” says senior author Hassan S Dashti, an assistant investigator in the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine at MGH and an assistant professor of anesthesia at Harvard Medical School.
As for the genetic component, yes, studies have suggested a robust role for genes in the development of anorexia (see here, here, and here), and researchers in this particular study explored the genes associated with anorexia, the circadian clock, and various sleep traits.
Thus, the interesting connection.
Notably, four years ago, researchers discovered eight genes that were directly related to the development of anorexia nervosa.
So, as with any medical condition, genes play a large role.
I reinforce that genetic issue because it suggests, once again, a medical component that precedes anything outside your control.
And I say that because we do all know that the church tends to dismiss these diseases as diseases of the mind and not body.
If you or a loved one struggle, or think you might have an eating disorder….
Here’s a terrific website, which includes crisis helplines.
ANAD can be reached at 1-888-375-7767.
Even more helplines can be found here.
And you can find even more useful information at the National Eating Disorders Association website.
Also, for readers from the United States….
Find a psychiatrist here.
Find a therapist here.
For readers, internationally, please seek help from a local resource.
If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or others, please call the National Suicide Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
[Painting: L’attesa, Felice Casorati. (h/t: Casey Winter).]
