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The most common eating disorders are: anorexia nervosa (often called anorexia) – trying to control your weight by not eating enough food, exercising too much, or doing both. bulimia – losing control over how much you eat and then taking drastic action to not put on weight.
- Advice for Parents
Family Lives: eating disorders; Young Minds: eating...
- Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (often called anorexia) is an eating...
- Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder Read about binge eating disorder,...
- Advice for Parents
What are eating disorders and how might they make you feel or act? Read about bulimia, anorexia, binge eating and other eating disorders.
This page provides information on commonly used abbreviations associated with eating disorders and mental health. Abbreviation. Name. ABW. Adjusted body weight.
Slang for anorexia or anorexic. ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders): A nonprofit corporation that seeks to alleviate the problems of eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia Nervosa:
- Overview
- Types of Eating Disorders
- Symptoms of an Eating Disorder
- Diagnosis of Eating Disorders
- Causes of Eating Disorders
- Treatment for Eating Disorders
- Coping With an Eating Disorder
- A Word From Verywell
Formally classified as "feeding and eating disorders" in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the term "eating disorders" represents a group of complex mental health conditions that can seriously impair health and social functioning.
Because of the physical nature of their defining symptoms, eating disorders can cause both emotional distress and significant medical complications. They also have the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder.
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Watch Now: Common Signs of an Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Binge eating disorder, the most recently recognized eating disorder, is the most common. It is characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating—defined as the consumption of a large amount of food accompanied by a feeling of loss of control. It is found in higher rates among people of larger body sizes. Weight stigma is commonly a confounding element in the development and treatment of BED.
Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, or those designed to make up for the calories consumed. These behaviors may include vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, and laxative use.
Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by the restricted intake of food, leading to a lower than expected body weight, fear of weight gain, and disturbance in body image. Many people are unaware that anorexia nervosa can also be diagnosed in individuals with larger bodies. Although anorexia is the eating disorder that receives the most attention, it is actually the least common.
Although symptoms of different eating disorders vary greatly, some may indicate a reason to investigate further. What's more, if your thoughts and/or behaviors surrounding food, weight, or body image are causing distress and impacting daily functioning, it's time to seek help.
•Dietary restriction
•Frequent weight changes or being significantly underweight
•Negative body image
•Presence of binge eating
•Presence of excessive exercise
Medical physicians or mental health professionals, including psychiatrists and psychologists, can diagnose eating disorders. Often, a pediatrician or primary care doctor will diagnose an eating disorder after noticing symptoms during a regular check-up or after a parent or family member expresses concern over their loved one's behavior.
Although there is no one laboratory test to screen for eating disorders, your doctor can use a variety of physical and psychological evaluations as well as lab tests to determine your diagnosis, including:
•A physical exam, during which your provider will check your height, weight, and vital signs
•Lab tests, including a complete blood count, liver, kidney, and thyroid function tests, urinalysis, X-ray, and an electrocardiogram
•Psychological evaluation, which includes personal questions about your eating behaviors, binging, purging, exercise habits, and body image
There are also multiple questionnaires and assessment tools used to assess a person's symptoms, including:
Eating disorders are complex illnesses. While we do not definitively know what causes them, some theories exist.
It appears that 50% to 80% of the risk for developing an eating disorder is genetic, but genes alone do not predict who will develop an eating disorder. It is often said that "genes load the gun, but environment pulls the trigger."
Certain situations and events—often called "precipitating factors"—contribute to or trigger the development of eating disorders in those who are genetically vulnerable.
Some environmental factors implicated as precipitants include:
•Abuse
•Bullying
Early intervention is associated with an improved outcome, so please do not delay seeking assistance. Life may even need to be put on hold while you focus on getting well. And once you are well, you will be in a much better position to appreciate what life has to offer. Help is available in various formats, although it is common to start treatment ...
Caring for your physical and mental health will go a long way toward helping you cope with an eating disorder. In addition to talking to a therapist or joining a support group (like Eating Disorders Anonymous), seek support from a trusted friend or family member who can be there for you along your path to recovery.
Beyond self-care, it’s also essential to identify a few healthy distractions you can turn to when you find yourself obsessing about food and weight or experiencing the urge to turn to disordered eating or behaviors. Here are a few to consider:
•Explore a new hobby, like photography, painting, or knitting
•Invest in an adult coloring book
•Practice mindfulness meditation
•Take a leisurely walk
Recovery from an eating disorder isn’t easy. It takes courage, but it is possible with the right support system in place.
If you are the parent of a minor with an eating disorder, then it is wise for you to seek treatment on their behalf. Supporting a child with an eating disorder is hard work, but there are resources for you. If your loved one with an eating disorder is an adult, you can still play an important role in helping them too.
Since people with eating disorders often do not believe they have a problem. Family members and significant others play a critical role in getting them help. Although recovery from an eating disorder can be challenging and sometimes long, it is possible.
If you or a loved one are coping with an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline for support at 1-800-931-2237.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
What to Know About Eating Disorders
- 1 min
Glossary. You may come across various acronyms or unfamiliar terms in relation to eating disorders. This glossary should help to explain some of the terms that you may find throughout our website and in information about eating disorders. Amenorrhea. BMI (body mass index) CYPMHS (Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services)
People also ask
What is an eating disorder?
What are the different types of eating disorders?
What is other specified feeding and eating disorder?
What is binge eating disorder?
What does anorexia nervosa mean?
How is eating disorder treated?
Eating disorders are behavioral conditions characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions. They can be very serious conditions affecting physical, psychological and social function.
