Let’s begin by defining what an eating disorder is: “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” according to Healthline.
Here are some common symptoms that one might have an eating disorder:
● Constantly thinking about food, weight, etc.
● Refuse/afraid to eat certain foods
● Body dysmorphia
● Skipping meals or undergoing severe calorie deficits
● Eating in private, uncomfortable eating around others
● Avoidance of certain food groups
● Observing others’ food habits and making it impact your own
It’s important to note that eating disorders can be PSYCHOLOGICAL, but can severely affect your
PHYSICAL condition. This does NOT mean that you are not suffering from one if you’re considered a “healthy” body weight or BMI. Please do not disregard your struggles and diagnosis because others consider you to still be healthy, because eating disorders mainly affect you mentally.
With that being said, if you are struggling with your relationship with food, regardless of whether or not you find it concerning enough, PLEASE reach out to someone. If you do not feel comfortable talking to a professional, try consulting close friends or family. Eating disorders can be lonely, and can damage relationships. It truly, really does help talking to someone, anyone about it.
Although not every single type of eating disorder is labeled, here are some that are recognized by the DSM:
Anorexia Nervosa:
It’s characterized by the obsession of weight and what you eat, often becoming an intense fear of gaining weight. Because of this fear, those with this disorder begin to avoid eating certain types of food, go on severe calorie deficits, and might start avoiding food entirely. This typically stems from a severely distorted body image, which turns into the common pursuit of becoming underweight or thin.
Anorexia can be split into two sub-categories, restriction and binging/purging. Restriction is to lose weight through consuming less food and exercising excessively. Binging/purging consists of eating and then proceeding to purge by vomiting, taking laxatives, etc. to remove the food from their body.
Bulimia Nervosa:
It’s characterized by consuming large amounts of food, and purging to avoid weight gain. Those who suffer from this disorder often describe eating until feeling painfully full and having no sense of control during the binge. Despite constantly being labeled as a disorder of binging junk food, food binges can occur with any type of food, whether it be “healthy” or not. Following the binge, those with this disorder will attempt to purge to compensate for the amount of food they consumed.
Binge-Eating:
It’s characterized by consuming large amounts of food, but in contrast to Bulimia Nervosa, those with this disorder do not purge following their binges. However, similar to Bulimia Nervosa, those with binge-eating disorders also consume food until they feel painfully full and have no sense of control during the binge. Before, during, or after the binge, feelings of shame and guilt are often present, and often occurs in secret.
Purging:
It’s characterized by using different means of purging to maintain/lose their body weight. In contrast to Bulimia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa, those with this disorder do not binge prior to purging.
These are some of the “main” disorders recognized by the majority of people, but there are also some less-known:
Pica:
It’s characterized by the consumption of things that are considered inedible, such as chalk, dirt, hair, paper, etc. This disorder can be fatal, from choking on the items to nutritional deficiency. But it can also lead to less severe health conditions, such as poisoning, internal infections, etc.
Rumination:
It’s characterized by an individual who regurgitates food after they ingest it, where they re-chew and swallow or spit it out. This typically happens recently after consuming a meal, and can lead to severe weight loss or malnutrition.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake:
It’s characterized by a lack of interest in eating due to specific smells, textures, etc. of the food. This disorder is not just picky eating or lower food intake, it also takes into account the food restriction an individual will take to avoid these feelings as they consume food.
These cover the general information of eating disorders. If you notice someone following any of these symptoms or habits, try to confront them in any way that is the most comfortable for them. It’s scary and overwhelming, and having someone to talk to helps.
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