Exploring The 5 Main Types Of Eating Disorder

Eating disorders affect millions of people worldwide. While each disorder involves an unhealthy relationship with eating, these disorders come in many different forms ranging from anorexia to binge eating. Many people don’t realize they have a disorder – diagnosing such disorders and getting treatment can be important to prevent knock-on health effects. Below are 5 of the most common eating disorders explained, along with advice on how to overcome each one.

Anorexia

Anorexia is an intense fear of gaining weight that leads people to eat very small amounts or not eat certain foods. This can lead to malnutrition and other related health problems.

You may have anorexia if you have obsessive thoughts about food and an extreme fear of weight gain that causes you to skip meals or eat tiny portions. If you constantly feel tired and dizzy or get stomachaches, it could be a sign that this behaviour is damaging your health and you may want to see a doctor or therapist. Eating disorder treatment can help you to overcome fears around food and treat underlying conditions like anxiety and body dysmorphia.

Bulimia

Bulimia is closely linked to anorexia in that it is often driven by a fear of gaining weight. However, this condition instead causes people to binge eat (often in secret) and then try to get rid of these calories by making themselves sick or using laxatives (known as ‘purging’). In the long run, this can cause many serious health problems.

If you’ve found yourself regularly resorting to purging methods, it could be a sign that you have this condition. Because this disorder can be very complex, it is worth seeking out therapy to find the right methods of correcting it. 

Binge eating

Binge eating is a condition that causes people to eat unhealthily large amounts of food. People who binge eat often don’t have an ‘off switch’ and will keep eating past the point of being full.

Treating binge eating is important to prevent weight gain and other health problems. While some people are able to correct binge eating through strict portioning, some people need specialist therapy to overcome cravings.

ARFID

ARFID stands for ‘avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder’. It is an extreme form of picky eating in which a person may avoid many different foods and have a very limited diet. This can lead to malnutrition if certain food groups like vitamins or proteins are lacking. 

Unlike anorexia and bulimia, ARFID is not driven by fear of weight gain, but instead an inability to eat certain foods. It may be necessary to work with a psychologist to try to break mental barriers regarding certain food types. 

Pica

Pica is a disorder in which a person obsessively eats things that aren’t classed as food. Common things that people with pica may eat include toilet paper, sponges, hair, sand or playdough. 

Because these things are not supposed to be consumed, they can cause digestive issues or even blockages. If you notice yourself developing this mental health disorder, it is important to seek help to try to break the addiction of eating these non-food substances. In some ways, it is the opposite of ARFID. 

Samantha

Samantha hails from Virginia and is a proud wife to a retired Deputy Sheriff and current plumber. Homeschooling boy mama to two. We homestead and love our pets! A veteran product reviewer; Samantha has been reviewing products for 12 years and offers high quality product reviews with original photography.