Eating disorders (EDs) are multifactorial illnesses caused by the interaction of biological, psychological, family and sociocultural factors that are characterized by inappropriate behaviors to lose weight or avoid weight gain.
The fundamental characteristics of eating disorders are their psychological basis. Thus, although the external symptom may be an alteration in eating behavior (prolonged dieting, refusal to eat certain foods, self-induced vomiting, weight loss, etc.), at the root of the disorder lies a psycho-emotional disturbance (low self-esteem, distorted body image, personal dissatisfaction, etc.). From a medical perspective, they are considered mental illnesses.
Most Common Types of Eating Disorders
| Eating disorder | Main characteristics |
| Anorexia Nervosa | Severe restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image. |
| Bulimia Nervosa | Repeated episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. |
| Binge-Eating Disorder (BED) | Repeated episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food, accompanied by a feeling of loss of control, without regular compensatory behaviors. |
| Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) | Avoiding or restricting food because of sensory sensitivities, lack of interest in eating, or concerns about unpleasant consequences of eating. |
| Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) | Eating disorder symptoms cause significant distress or impairment but do not meet all the criteria for another specific eating disorder. |
| Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED) | Eating disorder symptoms cause significant distress or impairment, but there is insufficient information to specify the particular disorder. |
Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is the most well-known eating disorder , although its incidence in the population is lower than that of other disorders. It is defined by the presence of deliberate weight loss through self-imposed fasting. In addition to extreme thinness, people with anorexia exhibit an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia , more common than anorexia, is more difficult to detect. It is characterized by repeated episodes of excessive food intake (binge eating) followed by periods of normal eating or fasting, but without leading to extreme weight loss. To avoid weight gain from the binge eating, which must be repeated frequently, individuals with bulimia resort to self-induced vomiting, laxative use, extreme dieting, and/or excessive exercise.
Unspecified Eating Disorders (UED)
When symptoms related to eating behavior are present but the criteria for diagnosing anorexia or bulimia are not met, for example, a person who binges and purges, but with low and/or irregular frequency (to diagnose bulimia, binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors take place, on average, at least once a week for a period of three months) is considered to have an Unspecified Eating Disorder (UED).
These disorders often take time to become apparent because, being partial syndromes, they have less of an impact on a person’s physical or behavioral appearance, reducing their motivation and that of their family members to seek help. In any case, the fact that a TEDNOS is an incomplete syndrome does not mean it is less serious or that it does not require treatment.
Common Misconceptions About Anorexia and Bulimia
One of the most common misconceptions regarding anorexia and bulimia is that: ” if you eat a lot and vomit you have bulimia, and if you don’t eat you have anorexia.”
Vomiting Is Not Exclusive to Bulimia
Vomiting is not exclusive to bulimia, as it can occur in other eating disorders. For example, anorexia nervosa can present in two subtypes: the restricting type and the binge-eating/purging type. It is only in the binge-eating/purging type that vomiting and binge eating, in addition to dieting, are common.
A Person Can Have Bulimia Without Vomiting
Similarly, a person can suffer from bulimia and not vomit. People with bulimia may use different compensatory behaviors, including self-induced vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise.
In unspecified eating disorders (UEED), self-induced vomiting is also common.
Another false belief about eating disorders is that they are illnesses that can be deduced from a person’s physical appearance; for example, if someone has a “great figure” they cannot have an eating disorder or, on the contrary, if they are excessively thin it is because they suffer from anorexia.
People with eating disorders can have different body weights, and their physical appearance alone cannot determine whether they have an eating disorder.
Furthermore, this misconception leads many adolescents and their families to perceive the severity of the disorder based on whether they are more or less underweight, which perpetuates the disorder . However, eating disorders are not sudden illnesses and frequently involve relapses and recovery cycles. Early detection and prompt treatment are, to a large extent, key factors for successful treatment.
Conclusion
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that may affect individuals in different ways. Their signs and symptoms may not be evident from the persons’ outward appearance. Knowledge of the varied types may bring about earlier awareness of the signs and the ability to offer support. Early intervention and professional treatment may have a valuable role to play.
Also Read: Healthy Eating: Everyone Should Know These Ten Tips
