Eating Disorders are serious illnesses that can interfere significantly with life. Generally, eating disorders revolve around eating habits, obsessions with body shape, and unhealthy attitudes towards food.
While Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are the most well-known eating disorders – several other sub-types exist. In this article, we take a look at the different types of eating disorders.
While knowing the exact type of eating disorder that someone suffers from isn’t essential, it is recommended to know what the sub-type is – as this should ensure appropriate treatment is provided.
The treatment options can vary slightly between the different disorders, but full recovery is always the aim.
What is an Eating Disorder?
Eating Disorders: An Eating Disorder is a mental disorder that is characterised by abnormal eating habits, and generally, an unhealthy relationship with food. Eating disorders can cause intense mental suffering, and lead to physical health problems. There are several different types of eating disorders – each with their own set of symptoms. t is common for someone with an eating disorder to have a comorbid mental health condition.
What are the different types of Eating Disorders?
Anorexia Nervosa: This condition involves an individual attempting to keep their weight as low as possible – normally by not eating enough food, or excessively exercising. The person may have intense self-esteem issues, distorted body image, and will commonly have a strong fear of obesity. As a result of trying to keep their weight as low as possible, they may develop ill health. Feelings of depression and anxiety are common.
Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia is characterised by recurrent episodes of an individual losing control over food intake. At first, a person will eat a high amount of food in a short amount of time (binging), before being deliberately sick, or using laxatives to get rid of what they have eaten (purging). To ensure that they don’t gain weight, they may starve themselves between binges. Feelings of depression and anxiety are common. This behaviour puts an individual at risk of poor health.
Binge-Eating Disorder: A Binge-Eating Disorder involves an individual regularly losing control of their eating – normally evidenced by episodes of significant consumption of food until an individual feels uncomfortably full. In the aftermath of these episodes, feelings of guilt and low mood are common. These episodes are not accompanied by purging – where a person tries to make themselves sick. During the episode however, a person will often feel that they cannot stop themselves from eating. These activities puts an individual at risk of developing poor health.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder: This condition is the most commonly diagnosed eating disorder. This is diagnosed when the symptoms of an individual don’t fit into those of other eating disorders. For instance, someone in this category may starve themselves, like someone with anorexia nervosa would, only to be in the normal range of weight, as opposed to being underweight. This condition is no less serious than other eating disorders.
Pica: Pica refers to the condition where an individual persistently eats non-food material. Typical materials eaten include chalk, ice, metal, or sponges. This can cause serious health issues, including impairment in physical development if conducted during childhood or puberty. Pica is often associated with other mental health conditions.
Rumination Disorder: This condition is characterised by an individual repeatedly regurgitating their food after eating. After regurgitating their food, they may swallow the food again, or spit out the food. There is no physical health problem that causes an individual to do this. Rumination Disorder often runs alongside other mental health conditions. This is not the same as rumination.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder involves an individual feeling the need to avoid food (avoidance), or certain foods (restrictive). The idea of eating can lead to feelings of anxiety. This pattern of food intake will lead to significant weight loss, poor functioning and nutritional deficiency. But unlike Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa, someone with this condition will not be concerned about their weight or body image. This disorder often runs alongside another mental health condition.
Summary
The different types of eating disorders all have the potential to cause health problems. Moreover, they can also cause mental health issues.
Several similarities do exist, however there are key characteristics that differentiate each disorder from the other. In all cases of eating disorders, a full recovery is the aim.
See Also
- Eating Disorders: Everything You Need to Know
- What Are The Different Types of Eating Disorders?
- What Are The Symptoms of Eating Disorders?
- What Are The Causes of Eating Disorders?
- How are Eating Disorders Diagnosed?
- How Can Eating Disorders be Treated?
- What is the Prognosis for Eating Disorders?
- 10 Tips for Living With Eating Disorders
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