Eating Disorder Guides & Articles

Leigh Morgan

Last updated: Jul. 07, 2023

Brindusa Vanta, MD, DHMHS

Medical Editor

What Is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is a serious condition that causes someone to develop abnormal eating behaviors or become preoccupied with their weight and body shape. ¹ People with eating disorders also have distressing emotions related to food, weight, exercise, and appearance. ² These conditions can affect anyone, but they're most common in women between the ages of 12 and 35. The National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders estimates that nearly 30 million Americans will develop an eating disorder at some point in their lives. ³

Conditions such as anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and food addiction affect the entire family, especially when the person with the disorder is an adolescent. ⁴ People with these disorders often develop rigid rules about what they eat or how much food they consume each day. This can lead to conflict with parents, siblings, spouses, and other family members. An individual with an eating disorder may also isolate themselves from loved ones to make it easier to hide their behavior, causing feelings of loneliness and shame. Family members may struggle to pay treatment-related expenses or worry that the disorder will result in death or severe impairment at some point.

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Someone suffering from an eating disorder has an unhealthy relationship with food that is interfering with many areas of everyday life. A person may eat little to no food, eat excessively large amounts of food, be obsessed with thoughts of food or exercise, and have a distorted body image. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of […]

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Binge eating disorder (BED) affects many men and women across the globe. According to research, 3.5% of women and 2% of men will develop the condition at some point in their lives.1 BED can lead to serious complications, including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.3 But it is a treatable condition, and many people recover. Early […]

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Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious eating disorder characterized by frequently consuming large amounts of food and feeling unable to stop. BED is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting between 1-5% of the general population.2 Those struggling with BED should seek treatment as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment […]

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In recent years, the scientific community has begun to more closely study compulsive behaviors such as gambling, sex, video games, and eating. Research suggests something more complex may be at play in some people than simply overeating. Foods full of fat and sugar can supercharge the brain’s reward system similarly to the way addictive drugs […]

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What Is Anorexia?

Anorexia is a condition that causes people to obsess over food and body size. The disorder is often accompanied by poor body image, causing an individual to feel overweight, even if their body weight is low. ⁵. Researchers don't know exactly what causes anorexia, but certain factors increase the risk of developing it. For example, many people with the disorder have family members with mental health conditions. Anorexia may also develop in someone who used to be overweight and doesn't want the extra weight to come back.

The following factors also play a role in the development of anorexia and other eating disorders:

Family/social influences
Genetic variations
Developmental problems
Chemical imbalances in the brain

Although anyone can develop anorexia, people who participate in certain activities have a higher risk of developing it. These activities emphasize the importance of maintaining a certain weight or body shape, which causes some people to become obsessed with food:

Weight lifting
Ballet
Gymnastics
Modeling
Wrestling
Cheerleading

Anorexia treatment programs will vary per individual. Anorexia can lead to serious health problems, including abnormal heart rhythms, iron deficiency, kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances, and bone loss. In severe cases, it can also lead to death. If you or someone you love is suffering from symptoms of anorexia, get help finding treatment for anorexia today.

What Is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is a type of eating disorder that causes an individual to severely restrict their food intake. A person with this type of anorexia typically has an extreme fear of gaining weight, becomes fixated on counting calories, engages in excessive physical activity, or denies their hunger. As it progresses, anorexia nervosa may also cause dehydration, fatigue, constipation, dry skin, brittle nails, and thinning hair. In some people, extreme weight loss makes it difficult to tolerate cold temperatures or causes fine body hair to grow. This fine hair is known as lanugo. Over time, someone with this disorder may withdraw from social situations, experience mood changes, or become more irritable.

Anorexia nervosa has two subtypes: restricting subtype and binge-eating/purging subtype.

What Is Bulimia Nervosa?

Bulimia nervosa is another type of eating disorder, but instead of restricting their food intake, someone with this disorder binges and then purges to try to get rid of the calories they consumed. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, people with bulimia nervosa engage in binge eating, which involves eating a large amount of food during a specific amount of time. <sup6 This amount of food is more than other people would eat in the same amount of time and in the same setting. Purging behavior may include vomiting, taking diuretics, or taking laxatives. A diuretic increases the amount of water excreted from the body, while a laxative causes someone to have a bowel movement. ⁷ ⁸

There are also two types of bulimia, per DSM 5: purging bulimia and non-purging bulimia. A person who has non-purging bulimia may fast or engage in excessive exercise to prevent weight gain after a binge. If you or someone you love is showing symptoms, bulimia treatment is imperative. Get help for bulimia today.

What Is Binge-Eating Disorder?

Binge-eating disorder causes someone to consume large quantities of food and feel as if they have no control over their eating. ⁹ Eating a large meal once in a while doesn't mean someone has an eating disorder. For example, eating extra pie on Thanksgiving generally isn't cause for concern. It's when someone overeats regularly that there may be a problem. People with this disorder may keep eating even after they feel full, eat rapidly, feel disgusted about their eating habits, or dine alone to avoid allowing family members and friends to see how much they're eating. If you are suffering, get help for binge eating disorder today. While binge eating treatment types vary per individual, the first step is getting professional help/

What Is Emotional Eating?

Emotional eating is when someone eats as a way of coping with difficult emotions. ¹⁰ It isn't quite the same as binge eating, as it doesn't involve eating excessive amounts of food within a certain time period. For people with this disorder, food makes it easier to manage sadness, anger, and other unpleasant emotions. Some people engage in emotional eating because they've been dieting and feel deprived. Men and women may also use food as a coping tool when they don't feel good about their bodies.

Do I Have an Eating Disorder?

There are many symptoms of eating disorders. Anyone whose preoccupation with food, weight, or body shape affects their well-being should see a healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor may order blood tests to rule out dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and other physical problems associated with eating disorders. A visit to a mental health professional is also in order, as this type of condition has a strong psychological component. A psychiatrist, counselor, or other professional can conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or another disorder. ¹¹ Find help treating an eating disorder today.

What Is the Best Eating Disorder Treatment?

Eating disorder treatment programs will vary based on the individual. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy, has the most evidence supporting it as a treatment for eating disorders. ¹² CBT is based on the idea that people with psychological problems can learn how to cope with their symptoms and improve their daily functioning. ¹³ It also assumes that many psychological problems, including eating disorders, stem from negative patterns of thinking and behavior. During a CBT session, a trained therapist helps the individual identify those negative patterns and learn how to correct them. In many cases, CBT also includes role-playing to help the individual improve their problem-solving skills.

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