What Is An Eating Disorders: Types & Symptoms

What is Eating Disorder s ?

Eating disorders are a group of conditions characterized by an unhealthy relationship with food. In severe cases, eating disorders can have serious health consequences and can be fatal if left untreated. People with eating disorders can have a variety of symptoms.

3 Main Types of Eating Disorder

1. Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by abnormally low body weight, concerns about weight gain, and distorted weight perception. A person with anorexia places great importance on controlling weight and shape using extreme effort, which tends to have a major impact on their lives. Dieting behavior in anorexia nervosa is motivated by a strong fear of gaining weight or becoming overweight.

2. Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurring and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food followed by purging (throwing up), fasting, and/or excessive exercise.

3. Binge Eating Disorder

Binge-eating disorder is a serious eating disorder in which you frequently consume unusually large amounts of food and feel unable to stop eating. People who suffer from binge eating disorder do not purge or use extreme weight loss methods.

SYMPTOMS OF EATING DISORDERS

Below is a list of common signs and symptoms that may be present if a person is struggling with an eating disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa

Low body weight
Does not see her/himself overweight
Denial of hunger
Preoccupation with body weight and shape
Obsession with food and its nutrients (calories, fat, carbohydrates, etc.)
Food rituals (cutting into very small pieces, excessive chewing, etc.)
Excessive exercise and dieting
Anxiety regarding weight, meal time, and social activities or gatherings
Dry, thinning, or loss of hair
Dry skin and brittle nails
Frequently cold, wearing multiple layers to hide body or to stay warm
Downy hair covering body, called lanugo
Loss of menstruation

Bulimia Nervosa

Frequent fluctuations in body weight
Frequent episodes of bingeing
Hiding food to eat in private
Preoccupied with body weight and shape
Preoccupied with exercise and dieting
Withdrawal from social activities and gatherings

Binge Eating Disorder

Frequent episodes of bingeing (consuming large amounts of food)
Feeling loss of control during binge episodes
Hiding food to eat in private
Eating alone

Contrary to popular belief, eating disorders don’t just affect girls. They occur in people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses. Men are underrepresented in eating disorder statistics: the stigma of having illnesses primarily related to women often prevents them from seeking help and obtaining a diagnosis. The different manifestations of eating disorders in these populations can make them unrecognizable, even for professionals.