Eating Disorders

Anorexia nervosa is a condition where individuals perceive themselves as overweight, even when they are dangerously underweight. It involves an extreme fear of weight gain and a distorted body image, leading to severe food restriction.

Common Symptoms:

• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Extremely limited food intake
• Underweight or emaciated appearance
• Obsessive concern about weight and body image

Health Risks of Anorexia Nervosa:
Self-starvation deprives the brain and body of essential nutrients, resulting in serious complications such as:

• Anemia
• Bone density loss (osteoporosis)
• Fatigue and low energy
• Heart problems
• Infertility and menstrual irregularities
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric disorders, and up to 1 in 5 deaths are by suicide.

Bulimia involves cycles of binge eating followed by purging or other methods to avoid weight gain. Individuals with bulimia may purge through vomiting, excessive exercise, fasting, or misuse of laxatives and diuretics.

Common Symptoms:

• Fear of weight gain

• Obsession with weight and appearance

• Eating large quantities of food in one sitting

• Loss of control during eating episodes

• Inducing vomiting or purging after binge eating

• Overexercising or fasting to compensate for food intake

• Using pills or supplements for weight loss

Health Risks of Bulimia Nervosa:
This behavior takes a toll on both the body and brain, leading to:

• Digestive issues, acid reflux, and gastrointestinal distress

• Erosion of tooth enamel and oral health problems

• Chronic sore throat and dehydration

• Dangerous electrolyte imbalances, which can result in heart failure

Binge eating disorder is the most widespread eating disorder in the U.S. People with BED frequently consume large amounts of food and feel a lack of control during these episodes. Unlike bulimia, there is no purging behavior to counter the binge.

Common Symptoms:

• Eating excessive amounts of food, even when not hungry
• Feeling out of control during eating episodes
• Continuing to eat past the point of fullness
• Eating rapidly or in secrecy
• Hiding food for later binges
• Feelings of shame or guilt after eating

Health Risks of Binge Eating Disorder:
BED can lead to obesity, which increases the risk of:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Certain types of cancer
• Mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression
• Binge eating can also negatively affect work, school, and personal relationships.

Orthorexia is an obsession with consuming only “healthy” or “pure” foods. While striving for good nutrition is normally beneficial, this fixation can become harmful when it leads to restrictive eating and overwhelming anxiety around food choices.

Common Symptoms:

• Cutting out entire food groups (e.g., carbs, dairy, animal products)

• Strict limitations to a small list of “safe” foods

• Compulsive food label checking

• Anxiety about eating out or attending events with food

• Distress when preferred foods are unavailable

Health Risks of Orthorexia:
Despite the focus on health, orthorexia can cause:

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Inadequate calorie intake

• Emotional distress and social isolation due to rigid eating patterns

Several lesser-known eating disorders fall outside traditional diagnoses:

• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Avoiding food types or amounts without body image concerns

• Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED): Disordered eating that doesn’t meet full criteria for anorexia or bulimia

• Pica: Consuming non-food items like dirt, hair, or paper

• Rumination Disorder: Repeated regurgitation and re-chewing of food