Eating Disorders

01.16.2018

Eating disorders are illnesses that involve irregular eating habits and a severe concern about body weight, shape or overall appearance. They affect both genders, although rates among women and girls are 2.5 times greater than among men and boys. Eating disorders usually appear during adolescence or young adulthood but could also develop during childhood or later adulthood.

Types of Eating Disorders
Treatment
ADAA Resources
Other Resources
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Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa: People with the eating disorder called anorexia nervosa see themselves as overweight even though they are dangerously thin. People with anorexia nervosa see themselves as overweight even though they may be dangerously thin. Unusual eating habits develop, such as avoiding food and meals, picking out a few foods and eating these in small quantities, or carefully weighing and portioning food.

Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa

thinning of the bones
brittle hair and nails
dry and yellowish skin
growth of fine hair over body
mild anemia and muscle weakness and loss
severe constipation
low blood pressure, slowed breathing and pulse
drop in internal body temperature, causing a person to feel cold all the time
lethargy
infrequent or absent menstrual periods

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food and feeling a lack of control over the eating. This binge-eating is followed by purging (vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics), fasting, or excessive exercise.

Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa

chronically inflamed and sore throat
swollen glands in the neck and below the jaw
worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acids
gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)
intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse
kidney problems from diuretic abuse
severe dehydration from purging of fluids

Binge Eating Disorder and EDNOS: Another category is "eating disorders not otherwise specified,” or EDNOS, which includes several variations of eating disorders. Most of these disorders are similar to anorexia or bulimia but with slightly different characteristics. Binge eating disorder is one type of EDNOS.

People with binge-eating disorder experience frequent episodes of out-of-control eating. But they do not purge their bodies of excess calories, and many people with this disorder are overweight or obese. They experience feelings of guilt, shame, or distress, often leading to another cycle of binge eating.

Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating²

Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time
Feeling that your eating behavior is out of control
Eating even when you're full or not hungry
Eating rapidly during binge episodes
Eating until you're uncomfortably full
Frequently eating alone or in secret
Feeling depressed, disgusted, ashamed, guilty or upset about your eating
Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to restore adequate nutrition, practice a healthy diet, bring weight to a healthy level, and stop unhealthy behaviors such as binging and purging¹.

Treatment plans include psychotherapy, medical care, and/or medications such as antidepressants.

A well-established, highly effective, and lasting treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, which focuses on identifying, understanding, and changing thinking and behavior patterns. Benefits are usually seen in 12 to 16 weeks, depending on the individual.

Taking medications under a doctor’s supervision and joining a support group are also sound treatment options.

Treatment for eating disorders also includes nutritional management and nutritional counseling.

To learn more in-depth about Eating Disorder and treatments, check out ADAA's Patient Guide to Mood and Anxiety Disorders.