Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that involve significant disturbances in eating and can have serious physical and emotional consequences. Not every eating disorder involves a wish to change body weight or shape. There are several types of eating disorders, each with their own unique symptoms and behaviors.
Anorexia Nervosa: This eating disorder is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. People with anorexia may restrict their food intake to the point of starvation, exercise excessively, and have a preoccupation with their weight and body shape. They may also engage in purging behaviors such as vomiting or using laxatives.
Bulimia Nervosa: People with bulimia engage in recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting or using laxatives. They may also engage in extreme exercise or fasting to compensate for their binge eating. Like anorexia, people with bulimia have a distorted body image and are preoccupied with their weight and body shape.
Binge Eating Disorder: People with binge eating disorder regularly consume large amounts of food in a short period of time, often feeling out of control during these episodes. Unlike bulimia, binge eating is not regularly followed by compensatory behaviors. The distress and health consequences deserve attention at any body size.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): This involves restricting the amount or variety of food because of sensory experience, fear of consequences such as choking, or low interest in eating. It can cause nutritional deficiencies and other health difficulties, and is not driven by the weight or shape concerns characteristic of anorexia.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED): OSFED is a category for individuals who display disordered eating behaviors, but do not meet the full criteria for any of the other eating disorders. This can include subthreshold anorexia or bulimia, as well as purging disorder, where individuals regularly engage in purging behaviors without binge eating. (American Psychiatric Association)
It is important to seek professional help if you believe that you or someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder. Early intervention and treatment can greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.
These descriptions help guide assessment, but they do not tell the whole story. In my work, the person’s associations to food, care, desire, and bodily experience matter alongside the diagnosis and appropriate medical and nutritional treatment.
American Psychiatric Association. What Are Eating Disorders?
National Institute of Mental Health. Eating Disorders: What You Need to Know.