Eating disorder when you eat too much

Types, Causes, Treatment, and Recovery

Although the term “eating” is in the name, eating disorders are about more than food. They’re complex mental health conditions that often require the intervention of medical and psychological experts to alter their course.

These disorders are described in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) (1).

In the United States alone, an estimated 28 million Americans have or have had an eating disorder at some point in their life (2).

This article describes six of the most common types of eating disorders and their symptoms.

Eating disorders are a range of psychological conditions that cause unhealthy eating habits to develop. They might start with an obsession with food, body weight, or body shape (3).

In severe cases, eating disorders can cause serious health consequences and may even result in death if left untreated. In fact, eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses, second to opioid overdose (4).

People with eating disorders can have a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms include severe restriction of food, food binges, and purging behaviors like vomiting or overexercising.

Although eating disorders can affect people of any gender at any life stage, they’re increasingly common in men and gender nonconforming people. These populations often seek treatment at lower rates or may not report their eating disorder symptoms at all (5, 6).

Different types of eating disorders have different symptoms, but each condition involves an extreme focus on issues related to food and eating, and some involve an extreme focus on weight.

This preoccupation with food and weight may make it hard to focus on other aspects of life (3).

Mental and behavioral signs may include (7):

dramatic weight loss
concern about eating in public
preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, or dieting
complaints of constipation, cold intolerance, abdominal pain, lethargy, or excess energy
excuses to avoid mealtime
intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”
dressing in layers to hide weight loss or stay warm
severely limiting and restricting the amount and types of food consumed
refusing to eat certain foods
denying feeling hungry
expressing a need to “burn off” calories
repeatedly weighing oneself
patterns of binge eating and purging
developing rituals around food
excessively exercising
cooking meals for others without eating
missing menstrual periods (in people who would typically menstruate)

Physical signs may include (7):

stomach cramps and other gastrointestinal symptoms
difficulty concentrating
atypical lab test results (anemia, low thyroid levels, low hormone levels, low potassium, low blood cell counts, slow heart rate)
dizziness
fainting
feeling cold all the time
sleep irregularities
menstrual irregularities
calluses across the tops of the finger joints (a sign of inducing vomiting)
dry skin

dry, thin nails
thinning hair
muscle weakness
poor wound healing
poor immune system function

Experts believe that a variety of factors may contribute to eating disorders.

One of these is genetics. People who have a sibling or parent with an eating disorder seem to be at an increased risk of developing one (3).

Personality traits are another factor. In particular, neuroticism, perfectionism, and impulsivity are three personality traits often linked to a higher risk of developing an eating disorder, according to a 2015 research review (8).

Other potential causes include perceived pressures to be thin, cultural preferences for thinness, and exposure to media promoting these ideals (8).

More recently, experts have proposed that differences in brain structure and biology may also play a role in the development of eating disorders. In particular, levels of the brain messaging chemicals serotonin and dopamine may be factors (9).

However, more studies are needed before strong conclusions can be made.

Eating disorders are a group of related conditions involving extreme food and weight issues, but each disorder has unique symptoms and diagnosis criteria. Here are six of the most common eating disorders and their symptoms.

Anorexia nervosa is likely the most well-known eating disorder.

It generally develops during adolescence or young adulthood and tends to affect more women than men (10).

People with anorexia generally view themselves as overweight, even if they’re dangerously underweight. They tend to constantly monitor their weight, avoid eating certain types of foods, and severely restrict their calorie intake.

Common symptoms of anorexia nervosa include (1):

very restricted eating patterns
intense fear of gaining weight or persistent behaviors to avoid gaining weight, despite being underweight
a relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a healthy weight
a heavy influence of body weight or perceived body shape on self-esteem
a distorted body image, including denial of being seriously underweight

However, it’s important to note that weight should not be the major focus of diagnosing someone with anorexia.

Using body mass index as a factor in diagnosis is outdated because people who are categorized as “normal” or “overweight” can have the same risks.

In atypical anorexia, for example, a person may meet the criteria for anorexia but not be underweight despite significant weight loss (7).

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms are also often present. For instance, many people with anorexia are preoccupied with constant thoughts about food, and some may obsessively collect recipes or hoard food.

They may also have difficulty eating in public and exhibit a strong desire to control their environment, limiting their ability to be spontaneous (3).

Anorexia is officially categorized into two subtypes — the restricting type and the binge eating and purging type (1).

Individuals with the restricting type lose weight solely through dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise.

Individuals with the binge eating and purging type may binge on large amounts of food or eat very little. In both cases, after they eat, they purge using activities such as vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, or exercising excessively.

Anorexia can be very damaging to the body. Over time, individuals living with it may experience thinning of their bones, infertility, and brittle hair and nails.

In severe cases, anorexia can result in heart, brain, or multi-organ failure and death.

Bulimia nervosa is another well-known eating disorder.

Like anorexia, bulimia tends to develop during adolescence and early adulthood and appears to be less common among men than women (10).

People with bulimia frequently eat unusually large amounts of food in a specific period of time.

Each binge eating episode usually continues until the person becomes painfully full. During a binge, the person usually feels that they cannot stop eating or control how much they are eating.

Binges can happen with any type of food but most commonly occur with foods the individual would usually avoid.

Individuals with bulimia then attempt to purge to compensate for the calories consumed and to relieve gut discomfort.

Common purging behaviors include forced vomiting, fasting, laxatives, diuretics, enemas, and excessive exercise.

Symptoms may appear very similar to those of the binge eating or purging subtypes of anorexia nervosa. However, individuals with bulimia usually maintain a relatively typical weight rather than losing a large amount of weight.

Common symptoms of bulimia nervosa include (1):

recurrent episodes of binge eating with a feeling of lack of control
recurrent episodes of inappropriate purging behaviors to prevent weight gain
self-esteem overly influenced by body shape and weight
a fear of gaining weight, despite having a typical weight

Side effects of bulimia may include an inflamed and sore throat, swollen salivary glands, worn tooth enamel, tooth decay, acid reflux, irritation of the gut, severe dehydration, and hormonal disturbances (11).

In severe cases, bulimia can also create an imbalance in levels of electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. This can cause a stroke or heart attack.

Binge eating disorder is the most prevalent form of eating disorder and one of the most common chronic illnesses among adolescents (12).

It typically begins during adolescence and early adulthood, although it can develop later on.

Individuals with this disorder have symptoms similar to those of bulimia or the binge eating subtype of anorexia.

For instance, they typically eat unusually large amounts of food in relatively short periods of time and feel a lack of control during binges.

People with binge eating disorder do not restrict calories or use purging behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise, to compensate for their binges (12).

Common symptoms of binge eating disorder include (11):

eating large amounts of food rapidly, in secret, and until uncomfortably full, despite not feeling hungry
feeling a lack of control during episodes of binge eating
feelings of distress, such as shame, disgust, or guilt, when thinking about the binge eating behavior
no use of purging behaviors, such as calorie restriction, vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative or diuretic use, to compensate for the binge eating

People with binge eating disorder often consume an excessive amount of food and may not make nutritious food choices. This may increase their risk of medical complications such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes (13).

Pica is an eating disorder that involves eating things that are not considered food and that do not provide nutritional value (14).

Individuals with pica crave non-food substances such as ice, dirt, soil, chalk, soap, paper, hair, cloth, wool, pebbles, laundry detergent, or cornstarch (11).

Pica can occur in adults, children, and adolescents.

It is most frequently seen in individuals with conditions that affect daily functioning, including intellectual disabilities, developmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, and mental health conditions such as schizophrenia (14).

Individuals with pica may be at an increased risk of poisoning, infections, gut injuries, and nutritional deficiencies. Depending on the substances ingested, pica may be fatal.

However, for the condition to be considered pica, the eating of non-food substances must not be a typical part of someone’s culture or religion. In addition, it must not be considered a socially acceptable practice by a person’s peers.

Rumination disorder is another newly recognized eating disorder.

It describes a condition in which a person regurgitates food they have previously chewed and swallowed, re-chews it, and then either re-swallows it or spits it out (15).

This rumination typically occurs within the first 30 minutes after a meal (16).

This disorder can develop during infancy, childhood, or adulthood. In infants, it tends to develop between 3 and 12 months of age and often disappears on its own. Children and adults with the condition usually require therapy to resolve it.

If not resolved in infants, rumination disorder can result in weight loss and severe malnutrition that can be fatal.

Adults with this disorder may restrict the amount of food they eat, especially in public. This may lead them to lose weight and become underweight (16).

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a new name for an old disorder.

The term has replaced the term “feeding disorder of infancy and early childhood,” a diagnosis previously reserved for children under age 7 (17).

Individuals with this disorder experience disturbed eating due to either a lack of interest in eating or a distaste for certain smells, tastes, colors, textures, or temperatures.

Common symptoms of ARFID include (11):

avoidance or restriction of food intake that prevents the person from eating enough calories or nutrients
eating habits that interfere with typical social functions, such as eating with others
weight loss or poor development for age and height
nutrient deficiencies or dependence on supplements or tube feeding

It’s important to note that ARFID goes beyond common behaviors such as picky eating in toddlers or lower food intake in older adults.

Moreover, it does not include the avoidance or restriction of foods due to lack of availability or religious or cultural practices.

In addition to the six eating disorders above, other less known or less common eating disorders also exist.

These include (18):

Purging disorder. Individuals with purging disorder often use purging behaviors, such as vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, or excessive exercising, to control their weight or shape. However, they do not binge.
Night eating syndrome. Individuals with this syndrome frequently eat excessively at night, often after awakening from sleep.
Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED). While it is not found in the DSM-5, this category includes any other conditions that have symptoms similar to those of an eating disorder but don’t fit any of the disorders above.

One disorder that may currently fall under OSFED is orthorexia. Although orthorexia is increasingly mentioned in the media and in scientific studies, the DSM does not yet recognize it as a separate eating disorder (19).

Individuals with orthorexia tend to have an obsessive focus on healthy eating to an extent that disrupts their daily lives. They may compulsively check ingredient lists and nutritional labels and obsessively follow “healthy lifestyle” accounts on social media.

Someone with this condition may eliminate entire food groups, fearing that they’re unhealthy. This can lead to malnutrition, severe weight loss, difficulty eating outside the home, and emotional distress.

Individuals with orthorexia are rarely focused on losing weight. Instead, their self-worth, identity, or satisfaction is dependent on how well they comply with their self-imposed diet rules (19).

If you have an eating disorder, identifying the condition and seeking treatment sooner will improve your chances of recovering. Being aware of the warning signs and symptoms can help you decide whether you need to seek help.

Not everyone will have every sign or symptom at once, but certain behaviors may signal a problem, such as (20):

behaviors and attitudes that indicate that weight loss, dieting, and control over food are becoming primary concerns
preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fats, grams, and dieting
refusal to eat certain foods
discomfort with eating around others
food rituals (not allowing foods to touch, eating only particular food groups)
skipping meals or eating only small portions
frequent dieting or fad diets
extreme concern with body size, shape, and appearance
frequently checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance
extreme mood swings

If these symptoms resonate with you and you think you may have an eating disorder, it’s important to reach out to a medical professional for help.

Making the decision to start eating disorder recovery might feel scary or overwhelming, but seeking help from medical professionals, eating disorder recovery support groups, and your community can make recovery easier.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can contact the National Eating Disorders Association helpline for support, resources, and treatment options for yourself or someone you know.

To contact, call: (800) 931-2237

Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–9 p.m. ET

Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. ET

Text: (800) 931-2237

Monday–Thursday 3 p.m.–6 p.m. ET

Friday 1 p.m.–5 p.m. ET

Eating disorder treatment plans are specifically tailored to each person and may include a combination of multiple therapies.

Treatment will usually involve talk therapy, as well as regular health checks with a physician (21).

It’s important to seek treatment early for eating disorders, as the risk of medical complications and suicide is high (11).

Treatment options include:

Individual, group, or family psychotherapy. A type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be recommended to help reduce or eliminate disordered behavior such as binge eating, purging, and restricting. CBT involves learning how to recognize and change distorted or unhelpful thought patterns (11).
Medications. A doctor may recommend treatment with medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers to help treat an eating disorder or other conditions that may occur at the same time, such as depression or anxiety (11).
Nutritional counseling. This involves working with a dietitian to learn proper nutrition and eating habits and may also involve restoring or managing a person’s weight if they have experienced significant weight changes. Studies suggest that combining nutritional therapy with cognitive therapy may significantly improve treatment outcomes (22).

If you think someone in your life has an eating disorder, your best bet is to support and encourage them to seek help from a healthcare professional.

This can be extremely difficult for someone living with an eating disorder, but supporting them in other ways will help them feel cared for and encouraged in their recovery.

Recovering from an eating disorder can take a long time, and this person may have periods of relapsing into old behaviors, especially during times of stress. If you’re close to this person, it’s important to be there for them, and be patient, throughout their recovery (21).

Ways to support someone with an eating disorder include (21):

Listening to them. Taking time to listen to their thoughts can help them feel heard, respected, and supported. Even if you don’t agree with what they say, it’s important that they know you’re there for them and that they have someone to confide in.
Including them in activities. You can reach out and invite them to activities and social events or ask if they want to hang out one-on-one. Even if they do not want to be social, it’s important to check in and invite them to help them feel valued and less alone.
Trying to build their self-esteem. Make sure they know that they are valued and appreciated, especially for nonphysical reasons. Remind them why you are their friend and why they are valued.

The categories above are meant to provide a better understanding of the most common eating disorders and dispel myths about them.

Eating disorders are mental health conditions that usually require treatment. They can also be damaging to the body if left untreated.

If you have an eating disorder or know someone who might have one, you can seek help from a healthcare professional who specializes in eating disorders.

You can book an appointment with an eating disorder specialist in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool.

Read this article in Spanish.

Types, Causes, Treatment, and Recovery

These disorders are described in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) (1).

In the United States alone, an estimated 28 million Americans have or have had an eating disorder at some point in their life (2).

This article describes six of the most common types of eating disorders and their symptoms.

Eating disorders are a range of psychological conditions that cause unhealthy eating habits to develop. They might start with an obsession with food, body weight, or body shape (3).

People with eating disorders can have a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms include severe restriction of food, food binges, and purging behaviors like vomiting or overexercising.

Different types of eating disorders have different symptoms, but each condition involves an extreme focus on issues related to food and eating, and some involve an extreme focus on weight.

This preoccupation with food and weight may make it hard to focus on other aspects of life (3).

Mental and behavioral signs may include (7):

dramatic weight loss
concern about eating in public
preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, or dieting
complaints of constipation, cold intolerance, abdominal pain, lethargy, or excess energy
excuses to avoid mealtime
intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”
dressing in layers to hide weight loss or stay warm
severely limiting and restricting the amount and types of food consumed
refusing to eat certain foods
denying feeling hungry
expressing a need to “burn off” calories
repeatedly weighing oneself
patterns of binge eating and purging
developing rituals around food
excessively exercising
cooking meals for others without eating
missing menstrual periods (in people who would typically menstruate)

Physical signs may include (7):

stomach cramps and other gastrointestinal symptoms
difficulty concentrating
atypical lab test results (anemia, low thyroid levels, low hormone levels, low potassium, low blood cell counts, slow heart rate)
dizziness
fainting
feeling cold all the time
sleep irregularities
menstrual irregularities
calluses across the tops of the finger joints (a sign of inducing vomiting)
dry skin
dry, thin nails
thinning hair
muscle weakness
poor wound healing
poor immune system function

Experts believe that a variety of factors may contribute to eating disorders.

One of these is genetics. People who have a sibling or parent with an eating disorder seem to be at an increased risk of developing one (3).

Other potential causes include perceived pressures to be thin, cultural preferences for thinness, and exposure to media promoting these ideals (8).

However, more studies are needed before strong conclusions can be made.

Anorexia nervosa is likely the most well-known eating disorder.

It generally develops during adolescence or young adulthood and tends to affect more women than men (10).

Common symptoms of anorexia nervosa include (1):

very restricted eating patterns
intense fear of gaining weight or persistent behaviors to avoid gaining weight, despite being underweight
a relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a healthy weight
a heavy influence of body weight or perceived body shape on self-esteem
a distorted body image, including denial of being seriously underweight

However, it’s important to note that weight should not be the major focus of diagnosing someone with anorexia.

Using body mass index as a factor in diagnosis is outdated because people who are categorized as “normal” or “overweight” can have the same risks.

In atypical anorexia, for example, a person may meet the criteria for anorexia but not be underweight despite significant weight loss (7).

They may also have difficulty eating in public and exhibit a strong desire to control their environment, limiting their ability to be spontaneous (3).

Anorexia is officially categorized into two subtypes — the restricting type and the binge eating and purging type (1).

Individuals with the restricting type lose weight solely through dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise.

Anorexia can be very damaging to the body. Over time, individuals living with it may experience thinning of their bones, infertility, and brittle hair and nails.

In severe cases, anorexia can result in heart, brain, or multi-organ failure and death.

Bulimia nervosa is another well-known eating disorder.

Like anorexia, bulimia tends to develop during adolescence and early adulthood and appears to be less common among men than women (10).

People with bulimia frequently eat unusually large amounts of food in a specific period of time.

Each binge eating episode usually continues until the person becomes painfully full. During a binge, the person usually feels that they cannot stop eating or control how much they are eating.

Binges can happen with any type of food but most commonly occur with foods the individual would usually avoid.

Individuals with bulimia then attempt to purge to compensate for the calories consumed and to relieve gut discomfort.

Common purging behaviors include forced vomiting, fasting, laxatives, diuretics, enemas, and excessive exercise.

Common symptoms of bulimia nervosa include (1):

recurrent episodes of binge eating with a feeling of lack of control
recurrent episodes of inappropriate purging behaviors to prevent weight gain
self-esteem overly influenced by body shape and weight
a fear of gaining weight, despite having a typical weight

In severe cases, bulimia can also create an imbalance in levels of electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. This can cause a stroke or heart attack.

Binge eating disorder is the most prevalent form of eating disorder and one of the most common chronic illnesses among adolescents (12).

It typically begins during adolescence and early adulthood, although it can develop later on.

Individuals with this disorder have symptoms similar to those of bulimia or the binge eating subtype of anorexia.

For instance, they typically eat unusually large amounts of food in relatively short periods of time and feel a lack of control during binges.

People with binge eating disorder do not restrict calories or use purging behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise, to compensate for their binges (12).

Common symptoms of binge eating disorder include (11):

eating large amounts of food rapidly, in secret, and until uncomfortably full, despite not feeling hungry
feeling a lack of control during episodes of binge eating
feelings of distress, such as shame, disgust, or guilt, when thinking about the binge eating behavior
no use of purging behaviors, such as calorie restriction, vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative or diuretic use, to compensate for the binge eating

Pica is an eating disorder that involves eating things that are not considered food and that do not provide nutritional value (14).

Individuals with pica crave non-food substances such as ice, dirt, soil, chalk, soap, paper, hair, cloth, wool, pebbles, laundry detergent, or cornstarch (11).

Pica can occur in adults, children, and adolescents.

Individuals with pica may be at an increased risk of poisoning, infections, gut injuries, and nutritional deficiencies. Depending on the substances ingested, pica may be fatal.

Rumination disorder is another newly recognized eating disorder.

It describes a condition in which a person regurgitates food they have previously chewed and swallowed, re-chews it, and then either re-swallows it or spits it out (15).

This rumination typically occurs within the first 30 minutes after a meal (16).

If not resolved in infants, rumination disorder can result in weight loss and severe malnutrition that can be fatal.

Adults with this disorder may restrict the amount of food they eat, especially in public. This may lead them to lose weight and become underweight (16).

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a new name for an old disorder.

The term has replaced the term “feeding disorder of infancy and early childhood,” a diagnosis previously reserved for children under age 7 (17).

Individuals with this disorder experience disturbed eating due to either a lack of interest in eating or a distaste for certain smells, tastes, colors, textures, or temperatures.

Common symptoms of ARFID include (11):

avoidance or restriction of food intake that prevents the person from eating enough calories or nutrients
eating habits that interfere with typical social functions, such as eating with others
weight loss or poor development for age and height
nutrient deficiencies or dependence on supplements or tube feeding

It’s important to note that ARFID goes beyond common behaviors such as picky eating in toddlers or lower food intake in older adults.

Moreover, it does not include the avoidance or restriction of foods due to lack of availability or religious or cultural practices.

In addition to the six eating disorders above, other less known or less common eating disorders also exist.

These include (18):

Purging disorder. Individuals with purging disorder often use purging behaviors, such as vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, or excessive exercising, to control their weight or shape. However, they do not binge.
Night eating syndrome. Individuals with this syndrome frequently eat excessively at night, often after awakening from sleep.
Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED). While it is not found in the DSM-5, this category includes any other conditions that have symptoms similar to those of an eating disorder but don’t fit any of the disorders above.

Individuals with orthorexia are rarely focused on losing weight. Instead, their self-worth, identity, or satisfaction is dependent on how well they comply with their self-imposed diet rules (19).

Not everyone will have every sign or symptom at once, but certain behaviors may signal a problem, such as (20):

behaviors and attitudes that indicate that weight loss, dieting, and control over food are becoming primary concerns
preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fats, grams, and dieting
refusal to eat certain foods
discomfort with eating around others
food rituals (not allowing foods to touch, eating only particular food groups)
skipping meals or eating only small portions
frequent dieting or fad diets
extreme concern with body size, shape, and appearance
frequently checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance
extreme mood swings

If these symptoms resonate with you and you think you may have an eating disorder, it’s important to reach out to a medical professional for help.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can contact the National Eating Disorders Association helpline for support, resources, and treatment options for yourself or someone you know.

To contact, call: (800) 931-2237

Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–9 p.m. ET

Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. ET

Text: (800) 931-2237

Monday–Thursday 3 p.m.–6 p.m. ET

Friday 1 p.m.–5 p.m. ET

Eating disorder treatment plans are specifically tailored to each person and may include a combination of multiple therapies.

Treatment will usually involve talk therapy, as well as regular health checks with a physician (21).

It’s important to seek treatment early for eating disorders, as the risk of medical complications and suicide is high (11).

Treatment options include:

Individual, group, or family psychotherapy. A type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be recommended to help reduce or eliminate disordered behavior such as binge eating, purging, and restricting. CBT involves learning how to recognize and change distorted or unhelpful thought patterns (11).
Medications. A doctor may recommend treatment with medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers to help treat an eating disorder or other conditions that may occur at the same time, such as depression or anxiety (11).
Nutritional counseling. This involves working with a dietitian to learn proper nutrition and eating habits and may also involve restoring or managing a person’s weight if they have experienced significant weight changes. Studies suggest that combining nutritional therapy with cognitive therapy may significantly improve treatment outcomes (22).

If you think someone in your life has an eating disorder, your best bet is to support and encourage them to seek help from a healthcare professional.

This can be extremely difficult for someone living with an eating disorder, but supporting them in other ways will help them feel cared for and encouraged in their recovery.

Ways to support someone with an eating disorder include (21):

Listening to them. Taking time to listen to their thoughts can help them feel heard, respected, and supported. Even if you don’t agree with what they say, it’s important that they know you’re there for them and that they have someone to confide in.
Including them in activities. You can reach out and invite them to activities and social events or ask if they want to hang out one-on-one. Even if they do not want to be social, it’s important to check in and invite them to help them feel valued and less alone.
Trying to build their self-esteem. Make sure they know that they are valued and appreciated, especially for nonphysical reasons. Remind them why you are their friend and why they are valued.

The categories above are meant to provide a better understanding of the most common eating disorders and dispel myths about them.

Eating disorders are mental health conditions that usually require treatment. They can also be damaging to the body if left untreated.

If you have an eating disorder or know someone who might have one, you can seek help from a healthcare professional who specializes in eating disorders.

You can book an appointment with an eating disorder specialist in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool.

Read this article in Spanish.

30 symptoms of an eating disorder

March 15, 2019 Health

According to the National Eating Disorders Association in the United States, up to 30 million people suffer from eating disorders.

What is an eating disorder

An eating disorder (EDD) is an unhealthy relationship with food. Patients eat too much or too little, are obsessed with the figure and cannot adequately perceive their body: at any weight it seems fat to them. nine0003

According to statistics, in the US alone, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from eating disorders.

It is difficult to name the exact causes of eating disorders, but most often it is a psychological trauma or a genetic predisposition. The disorder can also arise due to pressure from society. An example is the work of models and athletes. They need to constantly monitor their form, otherwise they will not meet professional standards. Over time, this can turn into an obsession. nine0003

Disorders are divided into three main types:

Anorexia nervosa. During illness, a person is obsessed with thinness. Therefore, he eats little, trains a lot and tries to lose weight by any means.
Bulimia. The patient loses control and eats large meals, and then induces vomiting, takes laxatives, or exercises to exhaustion. The last form of the disease is called sports bulimia.
Compulsive overeating. A person also does not control himself while eating - he overeats until his stomach hurts, and after that he feels guilty. But unlike bulimia, it doesn't try to clear the stomach or burn calories immediately. nine0018

If you suspect you have an eating disorder but your symptoms are different, you may still have a problem. Do not ignore signs that seem strange or abnormal to you, see a doctor.

Who is at risk

Anyone can get an eating disorder. But most often RPP appears in women, especially in girls aged 13–18, athletes (gymnastics, figure skating, running), ballerinas.

How to recognize the signs of an eating disorder

Anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating have different symptoms, but some of them overlap. If you notice at least a couple of signs of eating disorders in yourself, it is worth visiting a psychologist to stop the development of the disease.

10 signs of anorexia

Many people think that anorexia is excessive thinness. But this is not entirely true. Anorexia is a mental illness and does not depend on a person's weight. It is impossible to determine the disease only by appearance, it is necessary to take into account the emotional state and behavior. nine0003

Weight loss can also be caused by other diseases - clinical depression, digestive infection, intestinal inflammation, alcoholism, stomach ulcers.

If you notice the following signs in yourself, you need the help of a psychologist.

You constantly feel fat, worthless and ugly, but you are sure that a thin body will change this. However, no matter how much weight you lose, this feeling does not leave you. Over time, this leads to suicidal thoughts.
During the day, you often think about food, calories and exercise. Perhaps these thoughts do not leave you even in a dream. nine0018
You are very afraid of gaining weight.
You weigh yourself every day, and your mood depends on the number on the scale.
You restrict yourself in food, keep to a diet, excluded high-calorie foods from the diet.
Having to eat in public frightens and depresses you.
You try your best to burn calories by exercising hard and walking a lot.
If you are a woman, you may be having problems with your period.
You have strange eating rituals. For example, before you eat a salad, you separate it into ingredients. Or you chew each piece of food very carefully and for a long time. nine0018
You cannot objectively assess your figure. Consider yourself fat, even if everyone around you says that you are emaciated.

10 Signs of Bulimia

Every cell in our body depends on nutrition. Bulimia disrupts metabolism and leads to a deficiency of nutrients in the body. Therefore, the consequences can be very different.

If left untreated, bulimia can become chronic and lead to seizures, arrhythmias, bone weakness and fragility, esophageal ruptures, and kidney failure. nine0003

These signs will help you identify the problem:

You vomit after eating, take laxatives or diuretics.
You work off what you eat by training to the point of exhaustion.
Weight fluctuates constantly due to the large amount of food you eat.
The blood vessels in the eyes often burst. This is due to a lack of nutrients in the body. And in the case of sports bulimia - due to excessive physical exertion. nine0018
You can't stop eating when you're eating, even when you no longer feel physically hungry.
You prefer to eat alone so that no one will stop you from vomiting.
Your relationships with friends and family have deteriorated. Instead of spending time with them, you overeat and purge.
After eating, you feel guilty and disappointed.
You have stomach pains.
Teeth crumble and rot because tooth enamel has thinned due to gastric juice that comes out with vomiting. nine0018

Bulimia can only be diagnosed after a medical examination. To exclude other diseases, you need to take blood and urine tests.

10 Signs of Binge Eating

People with this disorder are usually overweight. They try to lose weight, but they break down and gain the lost kilograms back, which makes them feel lazy and weak-willed. Often patients do not even suspect that their problem is much more serious than a lack of purposefulness. nine0003

Symptoms to watch out for:

You eat a lot of food in a short amount of time because you can't control your appetite.
You take food very quickly, sometimes you do not have time to chew it properly.
You feel guilty, but you still overeat.
You are embarrassed by the fact that you eat a lot, so you do it in secret.
You have a mania for hoarding food and hiding it from others. nine0018
By eating in this mode, you are trying to compensate for low self-esteem, anxiety, and stress. But it always turns out the opposite: the more you eat, the worse you feel.
Eating boundaries are blurred - you can eat all day long.
Stomach problems appeared - pain, cramps, constipation.
You are trying to limit your food intake. Go on a diet, refuse some foods, but every attempt to lose weight ends in failure.
You have made meals a cult. Specially set aside time for an attack of overeating, doing peculiar rituals. For example, you serve dishes with special care, separate food by color. nine0018

If you notice symptoms of eating disorders not in yourself, but in a loved one, gently offer your help. Perhaps he wants to visit a psychologist, but is afraid or doubtful. Tell him about the need for a medical examination. If necessary, offer to go together. But in no case do not put pressure on the patient. Any careless word can harm him and force him to withdraw into himself.

Eating Disorders: How to Tell if You Have an Unhealthy Relationship with Food

Symptoms and Definitions

Editorial

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment. nine0003

Obsession with dietary restrictions, obsessive calorie counting, guilt after dessert, and intense fat-burning workouts that this dessert is sure to burn are a reality for many girls who strive for an ideal figure. But in the pursuit of illusory ideals, they acquire a mental disorder that has nothing to do with a healthy lifestyle. Psychologist Irina Barbat tells how to recognize an eating disorder and what to do about it. nine0003

Irina Barbat

Psychologist, sexologist
@barbatik.irina

Let's start with what an eating disorder is - a disease, a disorder that is associated with eating disorders, unhealthy attitude to food, excessive concentration on meals, and also on your body and weight. Despite the fact that there is a genetic predisposition to eating disorder, this disorder is considered mental. It has been proven that if first-line relatives had or have a history of this disorder, then the likelihood of developing this disease is many times higher. nine0003

What is RPP?

It is necessary to distinguish between types of disorder in order to understand and evaluate whether there is anything to worry about.

Anorexia nervosa is an extremely low food intake that leads to exhaustion of the body. It is characterized by a painful appearance of the body. The body weight is extremely small. There is a violation of the work of internal organs. It is considered the most difficult and dangerous type of RPP.

Bulimia nervosa - excessive food intake. Overeating episodes are followed by compensatory behavior. Most often it is the induction of vomiting. But taking laxatives, fasting, and excessive exercise are also symptoms. nine0003

Overeating - Eating large amounts of food in a short period of time.

It should be noted that obesity is not a type of eating disorder. This is a chronic disease in which an increase in body weight is pathological due to adipose tissue. Obesity in 20-70% of cases is hereditary and has no pronounced psychological causes.

The causes of eating disorders are largely unclear. There is a genetic factor, social, family. Society defines the canons of the beauty of the female body. Slender models flaunt on the pages of glossy magazines. In social networks, photoshopped photos in swimsuits without a single crease on the body are full of photos. These stereotypes push girls to improve their body, bringing it to the ideal. Food restrictions begin, all kinds of diets, which lead to malfunctions, disruptions in the functioning of the body as a whole. nine0003

What could be the reasons?

Parental rejection in childhood;
Rejection of one's body during adolescence, when there is an active physical change of the body;
Resentment against parents;
Weight-related bullying at school;
Excessive control and overprotection by parents;
Violation of self-esteem;
Blurred or missing personal boundaries;
Inability to understand and accept one's feelings and emotions; nine0018
Anxiety, vulnerability;
Feeling the world as dangerous;
Distorted perception of one's body;
Boredom, emptiness inside and desire to become invisible;
Psychological trauma (violence, parental divorce, bullying).

How does it work?

For example, a girl grew up in a complete family with her mother and father. The child had everything, she was taken care of. The parents did their part. But parental care mainly concerned only social and domestic issues. The girl never felt loved. Mom was "cold", did not pay due attention to the girl. No one in the family was interested in the feelings and emotions of the child, it was not important. The main thing is to feed, clothe, put on shoes. As a result of such upbringing, the child developed low self-esteem, a feeling of rejection by the closest people, a feeling of invisibility. The girl felt very small physically. There is a big world around, a lot of people, and she is simply invisible. To correct this situation, somehow draw attention to herself, the girl begins to overeat. To become big and noticeable, only this will help to make it visible. And then they will begin to notice her, love her, give her attention. This is a particular example of the psychological mechanisms of the occurrence of eating disorders, in this case - bulimia. nine0003

Another situation. The girl in the family had loving parents, she was taken care of. They did not give the opportunity to express themselves as a person. The girl could not make her own decisions, her mother decided everything for her. Over time, my mother began to control every step. She knew exactly what to do and how to do it. The control concerned everything: what to eat, what to wear, with whom to be friends, how to think. This method of education led to the fact that the girl wanted to hide, become invisible, only for her mother to reduce control, in fact, she would simply stop noticing her once again. A psychological attitude is being formed: the more inconspicuous and smaller my body is, the less control there will be. Hence the decrease in the quantity and frequency of food intake, debilitating diets. The girl is losing weight, but the control does not go away, she continues to reduce weight further. And this develops into a painful disorder - anorexia. nine0003

And there can be many such examples, since each person will have their own personal psychological reason.

How do you know if you have an eating disorder?

You can do a little self-diagnosis that will require honest answers. There is no need to lie here.

You do not perceive your body adequately. Some part seems too fat or thin. You cannot look at yourself in the mirror, it disgusts you. You start to hate your body. nine0018
Lie about how much you eat.
Try to eat so that no one will see it. Hiding.
Uncontrollable obsessive thoughts about food, weight appeared.
Started counting calories. It was precisely the need to first calculate the number of calories, and then eat.
Weight fluctuates constantly.
Check your weight often. It gets to the point that you weigh yourself after every meal.
Go on strict diets. nine0018
Wearing yourself out in the gym.
Your weight is below normal, but you are trying to reduce it even more.
Empty your stomach after every meal.
Feeling ashamed of being hungry.
Blame yourself after every meal. It can go as far as self-punishment.
You feel constant hunger, there is no feeling of fullness.
Think your weight is the cause of your problems in life.

If you found at least some of the signs, it costs contact a doctor immediately . Since eating disorder is a multifactorial disease, the treatment should be complex: medical, psychological. It is worth contacting such specialists as: gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist, therapist, nutritionist, psychologist or psychotherapist. The well-coordinated work of specialists, led by work on the psychological state, will help to change not only eating habits, but also thinking itself, rewrite negative attitudes, accept your body and love it.

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