COMMON TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS
Eating disorders can affect people of all ages, weights, and backgrounds. Although there are more, listed below are three of the most common types of eating disorders and symptoms. It can also be noted that a large portion of individuals with eating disorders don’t meet the full criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder, but instead may be diagnosed with Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED)
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
People with anorexia nervosa avoid food, severely restrict food, or eat very small quantities of only certain foods.
- Extremely restricted eating
- Excessive exercise
- Relentless pursuit of thinness
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Distorted body image
BULIMIA NERVOSA
Binge-eating followed by behaviors that compensate for the overeating, such as forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, excessive exercise, or a combination of these behaviors.
- Chronically inflamed or sore throat
- Acid reflux disorder or other gastrointestinal problems
- Severe dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance
Binge-eating disorder
People with binge-eating disorder lose control over their eating. Unlike bulimia nervosa, periods of binge-eating are not followed by purging, excessive exercise, or fasting.
- Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time
- Eating even when full or not hungry
- Eating fast during binge episodes
- Feeling distressed, ashamed, or guilty about eating
TREATMENT AND RESOURCES
- To learn more about eating disorders, or find out if you may be affected by a disorder, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
- To read more about eating disorders, the following resources are suggested:
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/
- https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/