There are many factors that contribute to the development of an eating disorder.  An in-depth understanding of biology, psychology, and interpersonal theories in eating disorders is necessary when choosing the right path for each patient individually.  Helping patients and families create a relational infrastructure and repair damaged relationships are strong components in recovery. Often, the eating disorder is a symptom of underlying issues and is a metaphoric voice; the self-defeating or destructive behaviors speak the conflicts and emotions that the sufferer is not yet able to define and articulate.