MECHANISMS OF EATING DISORDERS: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

The existing literature explores many of the manifestations of eating disorders, including BED, that are gaining popularity among researchers in both psychology and neuroscience. Despite a large number of articles published annually and revealing new aspects of this problem, such as the independence of diagnosis and the presence of phenotypic differences with other eating disorders, there is a knowledge gap regarding diagnosis and mechanisms of occurrence for different groups. The diagnostics and mechanisms have not received an accurate conceptual representation, which does not guarantee their uniform and comprehensive understanding, as well as the possibility of an accurate diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to explore the main trends in the existing literature on eating disorders, describing its methodological and theoretical models. This knowledge can motivate scientists and practitioners of various disciplines and industries for further conceptual and empirical research, and the study and highlighting of the main modern mechanisms underlying exiting behavior problems can indirectly affect the quality of diagnosis and treatment of patients. This review, based on research on mechanisms and patterns of eating disorders, is a modern and concise analysis of the field of eating disorders research, in particular the BED. The main materials of the review are limited to the period, from 2010 to 2020. The result of the review is an unambiguous interpretation of BED as an independent psychological disorder consisting of endogenous and exogenous components, which, when appropriate techniques are developed, can be diagnosed and subsequently corrected. In addition to highlighting the mechanisms of eating disorders, the review summarizes its premises, the analysis of which will allow scientists and practicing psychologists to create effective treatment programs for eating disorders even before they become noticeable.