The Difference Between Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsKey DifferencesWhat Is Disordered Eating?Symptoms of Disordered EatingTypes of Disordered EatingCauses of Disordered EatingWhat Is an Eating Disorder?Types of Eating DisordersSigns of an Eating DisorderCoping and PreventionHow to Get Help

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Key Differences

What Is Disordered Eating?

Symptoms of Disordered Eating

Types of Disordered Eating

Causes of Disordered Eating

What Is an Eating Disorder?

Types of Eating Disorders

Signs of an Eating Disorder

Coping and Prevention

How to Get Help

Disordered eating and eating disorders share some commonalities, but they’re not the same. Whereas an eating disorder is a clinical diagnosis, disordered eating refers to abnormal eating patterns that do not meet the criteria for an eating disorder diagnosis. Someone with an eating disorder may exhibit disordered eating behaviors, but not all people with disordered eating will be diagnosed with an eating disorder.

This article discusses the key differences between eating disorders and disordered eating—the symptoms, causes, and treatments that can help.

Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders: Key Differences

People with disordered eating do not necessarily meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. They also might not have the same intense fear of gaining weight that is characteristic of eating disorders.

The primary difference between disordered eating and eating disorders involves the severity and degree of the symptoms. Disordered eating frequently involves many of the same behaviors that occur in eating disorders, but such symptoms occur less frequently or less intensely.

This does not mean that disordered eating is not serious. Eating disorders are often more recognizable and represent diagnosable conditions. Disordered eating is often more subtle, making it more difficult to recognize or address. However, disordered eating can contribute to the development and onset of an eating disorder.

Eating DisorderObsessive thoughts about foodExtreme concerns about caloriesSignificant changes in weightObsessive thoughts related to shape and weightImpaired functioning due to counting calories, binging, purging, exercising, or other behaviorsDisordered EatingEating for reasons other than nourishment or hungerEating to deal with stress or difficult emotionsEngaging in calorie restriction, binging, or purging irregularly or on a limited basisAvoiding major food groupsEating only certain foods

Obsessive thoughts about food

Extreme concerns about calories

Significant changes in weight

Obsessive thoughts related to shape and weight

Impaired functioning due to counting calories, binging, purging, exercising, or other behaviors

Disordered EatingEating for reasons other than nourishment or hungerEating to deal with stress or difficult emotionsEngaging in calorie restriction, binging, or purging irregularly or on a limited basisAvoiding major food groupsEating only certain foods

Eating for reasons other than nourishment or hunger

Eating to deal with stress or difficult emotions

Engaging in calorie restriction, binging, or purging irregularly or on a limited basis

Avoiding major food groups

Eating only certain foods

Disordered eating involves behaviors that limit choices, restrict food intake, lead to discomfort, cause a sense of being out of control, or createnegative emotionssuch as shame and guilt.

Disordered eating is not a recognized condition in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The term refers to abnormal eating behavior that occurs regularly and could become dangerous.

The term disordered eating is often used to identify and describe some eating behaviors that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for eating disorders.

Not everyone who engages in disordered eating behaviors develops an eating disorder. However, some people believe that these abnormal eating patterns can play a part in the eventual development of a clinical eating disorder.

The symptoms of disordered eating are similar to those of eating disorders. However, these behaviors are less severe or more infrequent, so they do not meet the criteria for the diagnosis of an eating disorder.

So what type of eating behaviors can be defined as disordered? Examples include:

Disordered eating can include abnormal behaviors as well as some that resemble those of eating disorders. Disordered eating patterns can include the use of:

Disordered eating can also include self-induced compensatory behaviors after eating, such as self-induced vomiting, extreme exercise, and the use of laxatives or diuretics. Such behaviors are considered disordered if they occur infrequently but would meet the criteria for an eating disorder if they were to happen at least once a week for three months.

Research indicates that dieting can contribute to disordered eating, which can then cause an eating disorder.

Emotional eating is a common type of disordered eating. When people experience negative or challenging emotions, they may turn to pleasurable activities such as eating to boost their mood and avoid painful feelings.Such eating patterns sometimes begin in childhood and persist into adulthood.

The causes of disordered eating are varied and complex. Factors that can play a part include:

The three most common eating disorders are binge eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder.

Symptoms of anorexia include:

In addition to extreme restrictions on food intake, people with anorexia will also go to extreme lengths to eliminate the calories they consume, such as excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting, or laxative/diuretic use.

While many people with anorexia are underweight, it is not required for diagnosis. The latest DSM-5 diagnostic criteria require losing a significant amount of weight through the use of unhealthy behaviors.

Binge Eating Disorder

Symptoms of binge eating disorder include:

Bulimia Nervosa

To be diagnosed with bulimia, a person must engage in the following behaviors:

Such behaviors must occur at least once a week for a minimum of three months. The primary focus of such behaviors must be related to body weight and shape, and such behaviors must not be related to anorexia.

Other types of eating disorders include avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID),other specified feeding or eating disorder(OSFED), night eating syndrome, pica, purging disorder, and rumination disorder.

Determining how much time a person spends engaging in dieting behaviors is difficult. Still, certain behaviors indicate that a person may have an eating disorder. Some signs to look for:

Such behaviors take up a great deal of time and mental energy. They may interfere with a person’s ability to function normally at home, at work, at school, and in relationships. In many cases, people avoid social events because they don’t want to eat around other people.

If you recognize signs of disordered eating, you can take steps to manage your behavior and develop a healthier relationship with food. Finding coping methods may help prevent such behaviors from progressing to a full-fledged eating disorder. Here are a few steps you can.

Avoid Fad Diets

Crash diets tend to be highly restrictive and lead to feelings of hunger and deprivation. This often results in cravings and overeating behaviors, leading to feelings of failure and guilt. Instead of following fad diets, focus on eating in moderation and avoid labeling foods as inherently “good” or “bad.”

Use Positive Self-Talk

Building a positive relationship with your body, noticing the things you love about yourself, and usingpositive affirmationsto build your confidence can be helpful.

Practice Body Neutrality

It can also be helpful to use an approach known as body neutrality to shift your focus.Body neutralityinvolves practicing accepting your body and focusing on caring for your body with adequate food, rest, water, and care. Learning to appreciate your body can help improve body image and combat disordered eating behaviors.

Strategies that can help include avoiding weighing yourself every day, limiting your exposure to unrealistic body standards, and practicinggratitude.

Try Mindful Eating

Mindfulnessis a practice that involves focusing entirely on the present moment. When applied to eating, it can help you avoid unconscious, distracted eating and instead fully appreciate the food you eat and the experience of consuming it.

Mindfulor intuitive eating can help you become more attuned to your body and learn to recognize when you are hungry and when you are full. It can also help you learn to identify unhealthy eating behaviors, such as using food to distract yourself from challenging emotions.

The Difference Between Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can lead to serious health outcomes, including dental problems, malnutrition, menstrual irregularities, anxiety, depression, organ failure, and substance use. This is why it’s critical to seek treatment if you are experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder.

On the positive side, treatment during the early stages of an eating disorder can reduce the detrimental impacts on physical health, increase the effectiveness of recovery, and minimize the need for inpatient care.

Many types of treatment for eating disorders are available. A treatment plan typically combines individual, group, and/or family therapy and nutritional counseling to address thoughts, behaviors, coping skills, and lifestyle factors.

If you think you might have an eating disorder, talk to your doctor or mental health professional, or contact one of the following organizations for more information and support:

If you or a loved one are coping with an eating disorder, contact theNational Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helplinefor support at1-800-931-2237.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are coping with an eating disorder, contact theNational Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helplinefor support at1-800-931-2237.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Best Eating Disorder Support Groups

The Takeaway

The ever-present influence of media depictions of the thin ideal play a role in body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and eating disorders. While it can be challenging to overcome these influences, finding more positive and uplifting depictions of a range of body types and sizes can help you develop a healthier, more realistic view of your own body.

Practicingbody positivityor neutrality also can help you appreciate your body and minimize the incidence of disordered eating behaviors. Whether you are trying to adopt healthier behaviors or suspect you might have an eating disorder, talking to a healthcare professional or therapist is a good place to start on your path to a healthier relationship with food and yourself.

14 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pennesi J-L, Wade TD.A systematic review of the existing models of disordered eating: Do they inform the development of effective interventions?Clinical Psychology Review. 2016;43. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2015.12.004Simone M, Lockhart G.Two distinct mediated pathways to disordered eating in response to weight stigmatization and their application to prevention programs.Journal of American College Health. 2016;64(7). doi:10.1080/07448481.2016.1188106Ortega-Luyando M, Alvarez-Rayón G, Garner DM, Amaya-Hernández A, Bautista-Díaz ML, Mancilla-Díaz JM.Systematic review of disordered eating behaviors: Methodological considerations for epidemiological research.Revista Mexicana de Trastornos Alimentarios. 2015;6(1). doi:10.1016/j.rmta.2015.06.001Barnhart WR, Braden AL, Price E.Emotion regulation difficulties interact with negative, not positive, emotional eating to strengthen relationships with disordered eating: An exploratory study.Appetite. 2021;158. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2020.105038Galmiche M, Déchelotte P, Lambert G, Tavolacci MP.Prevalence of eating disorders over the 2000–2018 period: a systematic literature review.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019;109(5). doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy342Edakubo S, Fushimi K.Mortality and risk assessment for anorexia nervosa in acute-care hospitals: a nationwide administrative database analysis.BMC Psychiatry.2020. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-2433-8Brockmeyer T, Friederich H-C ., Schmidt U.Advances in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: a review of established and emerging interventions.Psychological Medicine. 2017;48(8). doi:10.1017/s0033291717002604American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Puhl R, Suh Y.Stigma and eating and weight disorders.Current Psychiatry Reports. 2015;17(3). doi:10.1007/s11920-015-0552-6Haworth-Hoeppner S.Family, Culture, and Self in the Development of Eating Disorders. Routledge; 2017. doi:10.4324/9781315639475Lattimore P.Mindfulness-based emotional eating awareness training: taking the emotional out of eating.Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity. Published online March 11, 2019. doi:10.1007/s40519-019-00667-yHimmerich H, Kan C, Au K, Treasure J.Pharmacological treatment of eating disorders, comorbid mental health problems, malnutrition and physical health consequences.Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Published online August 2020. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107667Fukutomi A, Austin A, McClelland J, et al.First episode rapid early intervention for eating disorders: A two‐year follow‐up.Early Intervention in Psychiatry. Published online October 15, 2019. doi:10.1111/eip.12881Dooley-Hash S.Acute care of eating disorders.Behavioral Emergencies for Healthcare Providers. Published online 2021. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-52520-0_19

14 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pennesi J-L, Wade TD.A systematic review of the existing models of disordered eating: Do they inform the development of effective interventions?Clinical Psychology Review. 2016;43. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2015.12.004Simone M, Lockhart G.Two distinct mediated pathways to disordered eating in response to weight stigmatization and their application to prevention programs.Journal of American College Health. 2016;64(7). doi:10.1080/07448481.2016.1188106Ortega-Luyando M, Alvarez-Rayón G, Garner DM, Amaya-Hernández A, Bautista-Díaz ML, Mancilla-Díaz JM.Systematic review of disordered eating behaviors: Methodological considerations for epidemiological research.Revista Mexicana de Trastornos Alimentarios. 2015;6(1). doi:10.1016/j.rmta.2015.06.001Barnhart WR, Braden AL, Price E.Emotion regulation difficulties interact with negative, not positive, emotional eating to strengthen relationships with disordered eating: An exploratory study.Appetite. 2021;158. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2020.105038Galmiche M, Déchelotte P, Lambert G, Tavolacci MP.Prevalence of eating disorders over the 2000–2018 period: a systematic literature review.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019;109(5). doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy342Edakubo S, Fushimi K.Mortality and risk assessment for anorexia nervosa in acute-care hospitals: a nationwide administrative database analysis.BMC Psychiatry.2020. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-2433-8Brockmeyer T, Friederich H-C ., Schmidt U.Advances in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: a review of established and emerging interventions.Psychological Medicine. 2017;48(8). doi:10.1017/s0033291717002604American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Puhl R, Suh Y.Stigma and eating and weight disorders.Current Psychiatry Reports. 2015;17(3). doi:10.1007/s11920-015-0552-6Haworth-Hoeppner S.Family, Culture, and Self in the Development of Eating Disorders. Routledge; 2017. doi:10.4324/9781315639475Lattimore P.Mindfulness-based emotional eating awareness training: taking the emotional out of eating.Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity. Published online March 11, 2019. doi:10.1007/s40519-019-00667-yHimmerich H, Kan C, Au K, Treasure J.Pharmacological treatment of eating disorders, comorbid mental health problems, malnutrition and physical health consequences.Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Published online August 2020. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107667Fukutomi A, Austin A, McClelland J, et al.First episode rapid early intervention for eating disorders: A two‐year follow‐up.Early Intervention in Psychiatry. Published online October 15, 2019. doi:10.1111/eip.12881Dooley-Hash S.Acute care of eating disorders.Behavioral Emergencies for Healthcare Providers. Published online 2021. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-52520-0_19

Pennesi J-L, Wade TD.A systematic review of the existing models of disordered eating: Do they inform the development of effective interventions?Clinical Psychology Review. 2016;43. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2015.12.004Simone M, Lockhart G.Two distinct mediated pathways to disordered eating in response to weight stigmatization and their application to prevention programs.Journal of American College Health. 2016;64(7). doi:10.1080/07448481.2016.1188106Ortega-Luyando M, Alvarez-Rayón G, Garner DM, Amaya-Hernández A, Bautista-Díaz ML, Mancilla-Díaz JM.Systematic review of disordered eating behaviors: Methodological considerations for epidemiological research.Revista Mexicana de Trastornos Alimentarios. 2015;6(1). doi:10.1016/j.rmta.2015.06.001Barnhart WR, Braden AL, Price E.Emotion regulation difficulties interact with negative, not positive, emotional eating to strengthen relationships with disordered eating: An exploratory study.Appetite. 2021;158. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2020.105038Galmiche M, Déchelotte P, Lambert G, Tavolacci MP.Prevalence of eating disorders over the 2000–2018 period: a systematic literature review.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019;109(5). doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy342Edakubo S, Fushimi K.Mortality and risk assessment for anorexia nervosa in acute-care hospitals: a nationwide administrative database analysis.BMC Psychiatry.2020. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-2433-8Brockmeyer T, Friederich H-C ., Schmidt U.Advances in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: a review of established and emerging interventions.Psychological Medicine. 2017;48(8). doi:10.1017/s0033291717002604American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Puhl R, Suh Y.Stigma and eating and weight disorders.Current Psychiatry Reports. 2015;17(3). doi:10.1007/s11920-015-0552-6Haworth-Hoeppner S.Family, Culture, and Self in the Development of Eating Disorders. Routledge; 2017. doi:10.4324/9781315639475Lattimore P.Mindfulness-based emotional eating awareness training: taking the emotional out of eating.Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity. Published online March 11, 2019. doi:10.1007/s40519-019-00667-yHimmerich H, Kan C, Au K, Treasure J.Pharmacological treatment of eating disorders, comorbid mental health problems, malnutrition and physical health consequences.Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Published online August 2020. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107667Fukutomi A, Austin A, McClelland J, et al.First episode rapid early intervention for eating disorders: A two‐year follow‐up.Early Intervention in Psychiatry. Published online October 15, 2019. doi:10.1111/eip.12881Dooley-Hash S.Acute care of eating disorders.Behavioral Emergencies for Healthcare Providers. Published online 2021. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-52520-0_19

Simone M, Lockhart G.Two distinct mediated pathways to disordered eating in response to weight stigmatization and their application to prevention programs.Journal of American College Health. 2016;64(7). doi:10.1080/07448481.2016.1188106

Ortega-Luyando M, Alvarez-Rayón G, Garner DM, Amaya-Hernández A, Bautista-Díaz ML, Mancilla-Díaz JM.Systematic review of disordered eating behaviors: Methodological considerations for epidemiological research.Revista Mexicana de Trastornos Alimentarios. 2015;6(1). doi:10.1016/j.rmta.2015.06.001

Barnhart WR, Braden AL, Price E.Emotion regulation difficulties interact with negative, not positive, emotional eating to strengthen relationships with disordered eating: An exploratory study.Appetite. 2021;158. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2020.105038

Galmiche M, Déchelotte P, Lambert G, Tavolacci MP.Prevalence of eating disorders over the 2000–2018 period: a systematic literature review.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019;109(5). doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy342

Edakubo S, Fushimi K.Mortality and risk assessment for anorexia nervosa in acute-care hospitals: a nationwide administrative database analysis.BMC Psychiatry.2020. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-2433-8

Brockmeyer T, Friederich H-C ., Schmidt U.Advances in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: a review of established and emerging interventions.Psychological Medicine. 2017;48(8). doi:10.1017/s0033291717002604

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Puhl R, Suh Y.Stigma and eating and weight disorders.Current Psychiatry Reports. 2015;17(3). doi:10.1007/s11920-015-0552-6

Haworth-Hoeppner S.Family, Culture, and Self in the Development of Eating Disorders. Routledge; 2017. doi:10.4324/9781315639475

Lattimore P.Mindfulness-based emotional eating awareness training: taking the emotional out of eating.Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity. Published online March 11, 2019. doi:10.1007/s40519-019-00667-y

Himmerich H, Kan C, Au K, Treasure J.Pharmacological treatment of eating disorders, comorbid mental health problems, malnutrition and physical health consequences.Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Published online August 2020. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107667

Fukutomi A, Austin A, McClelland J, et al.First episode rapid early intervention for eating disorders: A two‐year follow‐up.Early Intervention in Psychiatry. Published online October 15, 2019. doi:10.1111/eip.12881

Dooley-Hash S.Acute care of eating disorders.Behavioral Emergencies for Healthcare Providers. Published online 2021. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-52520-0_19

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Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders: Key Differences#

Anorexia Nervosa#

Binge Eating Disorder#

Bulimia Nervosa#

Avoid Fad Diets#

Use Positive Self-Talk#

Practice Body Neutrality#

Try Mindful Eating#

The Takeaway#