Eating disorders are a serious problem that can have a negative impact on many areas of a person’s life. If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, it’s important to understand the different types of disorders and the available treatment options. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 20 million women and 10 million men in America will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are the most common types of eating disorders. However, there are many other less well-known but equally serious disorders, such as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), orthorexia, and pica. Eating disorders can develop at any age but are most commonly seen in adolescents and young adults. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Anorexia Nervosa
What's Inside
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that’s characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. People with anorexia nervosa often have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight even when they’re dangerously thin. They may severely restrict their calorie intake, purge after eating or exercise excessively. Anorexia nervosa can have serious health consequences, including heart problems, kidney damage, bone loss, and gastrointestinal issues. If left untreated, it can even be fatal.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is another type of eating disorder that’s characterized by episodes of bingeing (eating large amounts of food in a short period of time) followed by purging (getting rid of the calories through vomiting, use of laxatives, or excessive exercise). Like people with anorexia nervosa, people with bulimia often have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight even when they’re healthy or below. Bulimia nervosa can also lead to serious health problems like dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, heart problems, and gastrointestinal issues.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder that’s characterized by episodes of bingeing (eating large amounts of food in a short period of time) without purging afterward. People with binge eating disorder often feel ashamed, embarrassed, or out of control during or after these episodes. Binge eating disorder is associated with obesity and other health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
Seeking professional help is essential for recovery. A variety of treatment options are available for people struggling with eating disorders, including therapy, medication, and hospitalization are able to recover from an eating disorder with the help of professional treatment.
Eating disorders are often characterized by a preoccupation with weight, body shape, and food. This can lead to dangerous behaviors such as self-starvation, excessive exercise, purging (self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives), and bingeing (consumption of large amounts of food in a short period of time). People with eating disorders often feel that they have no control over their lives and that their worth is defined by their appearance or how much they weigh.
Risk Factors
There are many different risk factors for developing an eating disorder. Some common ones include: having a family member with an eating disorder; being exposed to sociocultural messages about body image and dieting; having a history of dieting or weight cycling; having low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy; being perfectionistic or having high achievement motivation; experiencing trauma or stress; having another mental illness such as anxiety or depression.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can have devastating consequences if left untreated. If you think you or someone you love may be struggling with an eating disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Early intervention is key to preventing serious medical complications and improving the chances of a full recovery.
