An Overview Of The Types Of Eating Disorders And Their Impact
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can severely affect the body and mind and are diagnosed based on specific patterns of behavior related to eating. These conditions have varied causes and may incite a sense of guilt and distress. Individuals and loved ones who can spot the signs of eating disorders early may find intervention sooner and receive quality care.
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are mental disorders that significantly affect a person’s eating behaviors, often leading to physical and psychological problems. They can affect people of any age, gender, or background.
What are the symptoms of an eating disorder?
Symptoms vary depending on the type of eating disorder someone is living with. For example, anorexia nervosa is often characterized by extreme weight loss and a fear of gaining weight. In contrast, bulimia nervosa involves episodes of binge eating followed by purging through vomiting or excessive exercise. People with eating disorders may show signs like excessive worry about food, avoidance of social situations involving meals, and rapid weight changes. However, note that not all people with eating disorders lose weight, and some eating disorders are not caused by a desire to lose weight at all.
What causes eating disorders?
Causes of eating disorders can vary and include genetic, biological, and psychological factors. Multiple factors often combine to contribute to the development of an eating disorder. For example, stressful life events and family history of mental disorders may play a role.
Some individuals may develop eating disorders due to underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. Cultural ideals of thinness and exposure to media promoting unrealistic body standards may worsen the risk of an eating disorder.
Types of eating disorders: Binge eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia, and others
Various eating disorders can affect a person's relationship with food and body image. Left untreated, eating disorders may lead to health complications.
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa involves episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting, using laxatives, or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain. People with bulimia often experience a loss of control during binges. The cycle of binge eating and compensatory behaviors may cause severe physical health problems, including electrolyte imbalances, stomach troubles, and tooth damage from throwing up often. Even if the person appears to have a “normal weight,” the health risks are still serious.
Binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder involves repeatedly eating a lot of food quickly, often to the point of discomfort. Unlike bulimia, people with this disorder do not try to "make up" for the eating afterward with compensatory behaviors. Living with binge eating disorder may lead to obesity and health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Those with this condition experience shame, guilt, and upset after these binge-eating episodes.
Avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
Avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a selective eating disorder involving severe picky eating and avoidance of foods based on their appearance, smell, or taste. This condition can cause nutritional deficiencies and severe weight loss. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not linked to body image concerns. Avoiding certain foods may lead to missing essential nutrients, affecting overall health.
Pica
Pica occurs when someone eats non-food items like dirt, chalk, or hair. This behavior can cause serious health problems, such as poisoning, blockages in the stomach, and infections. While pica is often found in children and people with developmental disabilities, the condition can happen to anyone. Get medical and psychological help quickly if you notice urges to eat non-edible items.
Rumination disorder
Rumination disorder involves regurgitating food, which may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out. This process usually happens within 30 minutes of eating and occurs repeatedly. The condition can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, and electrolyte imbalances and is not due to a medical condition. People with this condition may benefit from behavioral therapy to manage their symptoms.
Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)
OSFED is a category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) for eating disorders that don't fit the exact criteria for other types but still cause problems and distress. Examples are atypical anorexia nervosa (where a person's weight is average), purging disorder (purging without binge eating), and night eating syndrome (eating too much at night). These conditions require a proper diagnosis and treatment to avoid long-term health problems.
If you think you or someone you know might have an eating disorder, see a doctor or healthcare provider. They can run tests and talk with you to determine what's happening and how best to help. Getting the correct diagnosis and treatment early may aid recovery and overall health.
How to manage eating disorders
Managing eating disorders often involves medical, nutritional, and psychological care. Treatment for eating disorders is often personalized.
- Medical care: Consult a healthcare provider to check on physical health and any complications. Regular check-ups can monitor progress.
- Nutritional counseling: Dietitians work with people with eating disorders to develop balanced meal plans. These plans may restore positive eating habits and ensure adequate nutrition.
- Therapy: Different forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), may be used to manage the mental aspects of eating disorders. Therapy may help clients identify and change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors related to food and body image.
- Medication: In some cases, doctors may prescribe medication to treat underlying mental health challenges like depression or anxiety. There are also different medications that may be prescribed to treat binge eating.
- Support groups: Support groups may provide a sense of community. These groups may also offer emotional support and practical advice from others who have gone through similar experiences.
The BetterHelp platform is not intended to provide any information regarding which drugs, medication, or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. You should not start, stop, or change any medications without consulting a qualified medical professional.
Self-care for eating disorders
Self-care strategies may help you manage symptoms of eating disorders. Below are methods to try:
- Mindfulness: Mindfulness can help individuals stay grounded and make more conscious choices.
- Journaling: Writing down thoughts and feelings may be useful for processing emotions and identifying situations that incite disordered eating habits.
- Exercise: Moderate physical activity may improve well-being but is often recommended under medical advice to prevent over-exercising.
Managing eating disorders can take time and determination. In addition to self-care and professional treatment, a supportive environment can aid recovery.
Finding professional help for eating disorders
Seeking professional help is often a step in managing eating disorders. If you notice signs like extreme weight changes, obsessions with food, or disrupted eating habits, consider seeking a specialist. You can use these steps to start:
- Talk to your doctor: Your doctor can refer you to an eating disorder specialist to guide you through what you're going through.
- Search online directories: Use resources like the National Eating Disorders Association to find treatment centers and practitioners.
- Contact helplines: You can call the helpline offered by the National Alliance for Eating Disorders for assistance.
Other factors to consider when finding help
There are several factors you can consider when finding help, including the following:
- Level of care: Different treatments are offered for various severity levels. Some may involve inpatient care, while others might provide outpatient support.
- Credentials: Ensure the specialist has experience and credentials in treating eating disorders.
- Comfort: Being comfortable with your therapist or counselor may help you make the most progress.
Finding adequate support can make a difference for some people in managing or recovering from an eating disorder. A mental health professional can monitor your condition and identify underlying challenges you might experience.
Other support options for those living with an eating disorder
Finding therapy for eating disorders can be challenging when one experiences barriers like a lack of time or difficulty connecting with someone in person. In these cases, online support options like BetterHelp can offer cognitive-behavioral therapy and other modalities from home. Through an online platform, you can schedule sessions at times that fit your schedule, including evenings and weekends. In addition, online therapy may be more cost-effective.
Research indicates that online CBT may reduce symptoms related to eating disorders. One study developed and tested an online self-help treatment for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder that included CBT techniques. The treatment was found to be effective, with around 73% of participants completing the program and showing significant improvements in symptoms. By choosing to seek online support, individuals can take a proactive step toward managing their eating disorders in a way that fits into their lives.
Takeaway
What are the different types of eating disorders?
The different types of feeding and eating disorder include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). These eating disorders affect individuals' eating behavior and can lead to serious illnesses if not treated properly. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by self starvation, restrictive eating, and an intense fear one might gain weight. Bulimia nervosa involves cycles of eating large quantities of food followed by purging behaviors like forced vomiting or laxative misuse. Binge eating disorder is when people eat large quantities of food without purging. ARFID is characterized by avoidance of certain foods due to lack of interest, sensory characteristics of the food, or concerns about aversive consequences of eating.
What three categories does an eating disorder tend to fall into?
Eating disorders tend to fall into three categories: restrictive eating, binge eating, and purging behaviors. Restrictive eating involves limiting the food eaten, often leading to low body mass index and being slightly underweight. Binge eating involves consuming large quantities of food where people eat beyond fullness. Purging behaviors include methods like forced vomiting, laxative misuse, or exercising excessively to prevent weight gain.
How is ARFID diagnosed?
ARFID is diagnosed by a primary care provider or mental health professional who assesses the individual's eating behaviors, preferred foods, and nutritional intake. Blood tests may be conducted to check for nutritional deficiencies and medical complications. Diagnosis involves determining that the avoidance of certain foods is not due to a lack of available food or culturally sanctioned practices, and that it leads to significant weight loss, nutritional deficiency, dependence on feeding supplements, or interference with psychosocial functioning.
What are the most common eating disorders in adolescence?
The most common eating disorders in adolescence are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. During this period, adolescents may develop an intense fear of gaining weight and may engage in restrictive eating or purging behaviors. Research suggests that eating disorders affect teenagers due to various factors, including societal pressures, genetics, and other mental disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. Early intervention and proper medical care are crucial to prevent serious harm and medical complications.
What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is a feeding and eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes where people eat large quantities of food in a short period, often feeling a lack of control during the episodes. They may make frequent trips to obtain food. Unlike bulimia nervosa, binge eating is not followed by purging behaviors. This can lead to weight gain and medical complications such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Treatment often involves therapy to address underlying psychological issues and to develop healthy eating habits.
What's the most serious eating disorder?
Anorexia nervosa is often considered the most serious and potentially life-threatening mental illness among eating disorders. It is characterized by self-starvation, an intense fear of weight gain, a distorted self image, and restrictive eating leading to significantly low weight and low body mass index. Young adulthood is a time when individuals are at a higher risk of developing anorexia. It can cause severe medical complications like heart problems, bone loss, and multi-organ failure if not treated promptly.
What is orthorexia?
Orthorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an obsession with healthy eating habits and the nutritional value of food. Individuals with orthorexia become fixated on the quality and purity of the food eaten, often eliminating entire food groups and leading to restrictive eating. The exact cause of orthorexia is not well understood, but factors may include a desire for control or perfectionism. This can result in malnutrition and serious illnesses due to inadequate nutrient intake.
What eating disorder is the hardest to detect?
Bulimia nervosa can be one of the hardest eating disorders to detect because individuals often maintain an average weight or may even be slightly overweight, making physical signs less apparent. They may engage in secretive behaviors like purging behaviors through forced vomiting, laxative misuse, or exercising excessively after eating large quantities of food. Dental problems like erosion of tooth enamel due to stomach acid from vomiting, and acid reflux can be physical signs of bulimia.
Is ARFID just picky eating?
ARFID is not just picky eating. While picky eaters may have food preferences, individuals with ARFID experience significant restrictive eating that leads to nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, and interference with daily functioning. ARFID can cause serious harm due to inadequate nutrition and requires intervention from healthcare professionals, including a registered dietitian nutritionist and possibly a mental health specialist.
Does ARFID go away?
With appropriate treatment, including family-based treatment and support from healthcare providers, symptoms of ARFID can improve over time. However, without proper medical care, ARFID can persist and lead to serious illnesses due to malnutrition. Early intervention is important, and research suggests that involving a family member can enhance treatment outcomes. Family members and loved ones can often help get eating disorders treated promptly and with care.
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