Understanding Eating Disorders: A Guide to Diagnoses and Treatment
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that often involve disordered patterns of eating, obsessive thoughts around food, and a complicated relationship with body image. They can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, size or background.
It’s important to understand that weight is not always an indicator of whether someone is struggling with an eating disorder. While many people associate eating disorders with being underweight, that is often not the case. This misconception can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment because the person’s physical appearance might not match society’s stereotypical image of an eating disorder. Regardless of body size, anyone experiencing disordered eating deserves compassionate support and treatment.
Understanding the different types of eating disorders is crucial because it not only helps healthcare professionals provide the most effective treatment, but it also can help you recognize the signs, whether in yourself or in someone you care about. There are several distinct types of eating disorders, each with their own set of symptoms and challenges.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is perhaps the most widely known eating disorder, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. People with anorexia nervosa typically experience an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted view of their body size and shape. This often leads them to restrict their food intake drastically, which can result in extreme weight loss, malnutrition, and severe health complications. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by two subtypes:
Restricting Type: This involves severe restriction of calorie intake without episodes of binge-eating or purging behaviors.
Binge-Eating/Purging Type: This includes cycles of restrictive eating, followed by binge eating and purging behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is defined by cycles of binge eating followed by behaviors intended to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, or excessive exercise. People with bulimia often feel a loss of control during binge episodes, which can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and distress, further fueling the cycle.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States and involves recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food in a short period while experiencing a lack of control. However, unlike bulimia, binge eating disorder does not involve purging behaviors. Individuals with BED may eat quickly, even when they’re not physically hungry, and may feel distressed or ashamed afterward.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID involves a pattern of restrictive eating that goes beyond typical “picky eating” habits. People with ARFID may avoid foods due to sensory issues (such as taste, smell, or texture), fear of adverse consequences (such as choking or vomiting), or a general lack of interest in eating. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not driven by a desire to lose weight or change body shape. However, the resulting food restriction can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, and difficulty in day-to-day functioning.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
OSFED is a diagnosis given to individuals who experience significant distress related to disordered eating behaviors but don’t meet all the criteria for the above diagnoses. OSFED includes behaviors and symptoms similar to anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder but in patterns that don’t align precisely with those diagnoses. OSFED can be equally serious and can impact an individual’s physical and mental health, even if the disorder doesn’t fit neatly into other diagnostic categories.
Orthorexia
Though not officially recognized in the DSM-5, orthorexia is an increasingly recognized term for an obsession with “healthy” or “clean” eating. People with orthorexia may become so focused on dietary purity and food quality that it begins to interfere with their well-being, social interactions, and physical health. This obsession can lead to restrictive diets that omit entire food groups, nutritional deficiencies, and a rigid approach to eating that disrupts life satisfaction and balance.
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
Eating disorders are serious but treatable conditions. Our practice specializes in helping adolescents and adults work through disordered eating, body image concerns, and the complex emotions tied to food and body. If you or someone you care about is struggling, reaching out for support is a powerful first step. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our eating disorder specialists and start your journey toward healing. You can also learn more about our approach to eating disorder treatment here.