Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Causes
Treatment
Coping
Formally classified as “feeding and eating disorders” in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the term “eating disorders” represents a group of complex mental health conditions that can seriously impair health and social functioning.
Because of the physical nature of their defining symptoms, eating disorders can cause both emotional distress and significant medical complications. They also have thehighest mortality rateof any mental disorder.
1:28Watch Now: Common Signs of an Eating Disorder
1:28
Watch Now: Common Signs of an Eating Disorder
History of Eating Disorders
Types of Eating Disorders
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED)
Other specified feeding and eating disorderis a catchall category that includes a wide range of eating problems that cause significant distress and impairment but do not meet the specific criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder. OSFED and unspecified feeding or eating disorder (UFED) replaced the eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) category in previous versions of the DSM.
People diagnosed with OSFED often feel invalidated and unworthy of help, which is not true. OSFED can also be as severe as other eating disorders and include subclinical eating disorders.
Research shows that many people with subclinical eating disorders will develop full eating disorders. Subclinical eating disorders can also describe a phase that many people in recovery pass through on their way to full recovery.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID Is More Than Just Picky Eating
Orthorexia Nervosa
Orthorexia nervosais not an official eating disorder in the DSM-5, though it has attracted a great deal of recent attention as a proposed diagnosis for future editions. It differs from other eating disorders because the unhealthy obsession does not typically come from a desire to lose weight. Further, the focus is not on food quantity but rather food quality.
Orthorexia nervosa is an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating and involves adhering to a theory of healthy eating to the point that one experiences health, social, and occupational consequences.
Other Eating Disorders
In addition to the ones listed above, other eating disorders include:
Symptoms of an Eating Disorder
Although symptoms of different eating disorders vary greatly, some may indicate a reason to investigate further. What’s more, if yourthoughts and/or behaviors surrounding food, weight, or body image are causing distress and impacting daily functioning, it’s time to seek help.
It is common for people with eating disorders, especially those with anorexia nervosa, to not believe they are ill. This is calledanosognosia.
Is My Loss of Appetite an Eating Disorder?
Mental Effects
Eating disorders often occur along with other mental disorders, most often anxiety disorders, including:
Anxiety disorders usually predate the onset of an eating disorder. Often, people with eating disorders also experience depression and score high on measures ofperfectionism.
Physical Effects
Because sufficient intake of nutritionally balanced foods is essential for regular functioning, eating disorders can significantly affect physical and mental operations. A person does not have to be underweight to experience the medical consequences of an eating disorder. Eating disorders affect every system of the body and can lead to physical health problems like:
Diagnosis of Eating Disorders
Medical physicians or mental health professionals, including psychiatrists and psychologists, can diagnose eating disorders. Often, a pediatrician or primary care doctor will diagnose an eating disorder after noticing symptoms during a regular check-up or after a parent or family member expresses concern over their loved one’s behavior.
Although there is no one laboratory test to screen for eating disorders, your doctor can use a variety of physical and psychological evaluations as well as lab tests to determine your diagnosis, including:
There are also multiple questionnaires and assessment tools used to assess a person’s symptoms, including:
Who Is Diagnosed?
Contrary to popular belief, eating disorders do not only affect teenage girls. They occur in people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses. They are, however, more commonly diagnosed in women.
Men are underrepresented in eating disorder statistics—thestigmaof having a condition associated primarily with women often keeps them from seeking help and getting diagnosed. Furthermore, eating disorders may alsopresent differently in men.
While eating disorders affect people of all ethnic backgrounds, they are often overlooked in non-white populations due to stereotyping. The mistaken belief that eating disorders only affect affluent white females has contributed to the lack of public health treatment for others—the only option available to many underserved and marginalized populations.
And although not well-studied, it is postulated that the experience of discrimination and oppression among transgender populations contribute to higher rates of eating and other disorders among transgender individuals.
Diagnostic Changes for Eating Disorders in the DSM-V
Causes of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are complex illnesses. While we do not definitively know what causes them, some theories exist.
It appears that 50% to 80% of the risk for developing an eating disorder is genetic, but genes alone do not predict who will develop an eating disorder. It is often said that “genes load the gun, but environment pulls the trigger.”
Certain situations and events—often called “precipitating factors”—contribute to or trigger the development of eating disorders in those who are genetically vulnerable.
Some environmental factors implicated as precipitants include:
It has also become common toblame eating disorders on the media. While media influence is recognized as a complicating factor, it isn’t considered an underlying cause of eating disorder development in individuals. Ultimately, a person must also have a genetic vulnerability for eating disorders to develop.
The Different Causes of Eating Disorders
Treatment for Eating Disorders
Early interventionis associated with an improved outcome, so please do not delay seeking assistance.Life may even need to be put on holdwhile you focus on getting well. And once you are well, you will be in a much better position to appreciate what life has to offer. Help is available in various formats, although it is common to start treatment with the lowest level of care and progress to higher levels as needed.
Self-Help
Some people with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder may exploreself-help or guided-self helpbased oncognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) principles. The person may work through a workbook, manual, or web platform to learn about the disorder and develop skills to overcome and manage it. Self-help is contraindicated for anorexia nervosa.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is the best-studied outpatient therapy for adult eating disorders and includes the following elements:
Family-Based Treatment (FBT)
Family-based treatment (FBT)is the best-studied treatment for children and adolescents with eating disorders. Essentially, thefamily is a vital part of the treatment team. Parents commonly providemeal support, which allows the young person to recover in their home environment. Another important element of FBT isexternalizing the eating disorder.
Nutritional Therapy
A registered dietitian can help you learn (or relearn) the components of a healthy diet and motivate you to make the needed changes.
Weekly Outpatient Treatment
Intensive Treatment
For people needing a higher level of care, treatment isavailable at multiple levels, including intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, andhospital levels of care. In these settings, a multidisciplinary team almost always provides treatment.
The Best Online Therapy ProgramsWe’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.
Coping With an Eating Disorder
Caring for your physical and mental health will go a long way toward helping you cope with an eating disorder. In addition to talking to a therapist or joining a support group (likeEating Disorders Anonymous), seek support from a trusted friend or family member who can be there for you along your path to recovery.
Beyond self-care, it’s also essential to identify a few healthy distractions you can turn to when you find yourself obsessing about food and weight or experiencing the urge to turn to disordered eating or behaviors. Here are a few to consider:
How Yoga Can Benefit People With Eating Disorders
A Word From Verywell
Recovery from an eating disorder isn’t easy. It takes courage, but it is possible with the right support system in place.
If you are the parent of a minor with an eating disorder, then it is wise for you toseek treatment on their behalf. Supporting a child with an eating disorder is hard work, but there are resources for you. If your loved one with an eating disorder is an adult, you can still play an important role in helping them too.
Since people with eating disorders often do not believe they have a problem. Family members and significant others play a critical role in getting them help. Although recovery from an eating disorder can be challenging and sometimes long, it is possible.
If you or a loved one are coping with an eating disorder, contact theNational Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helplinefor support at 1-800-931-2237.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 at 1-800-931-2237.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
What to Know About Eating Disorders
8 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.American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Chavez M, Insel TR.Eating disorders: National Institute of Mental Health’s perspective.Am Psychol. 2007;62(3):159-66. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.62.3.159Roberto CA, Mayer LE, Brickman AM, et al.Brain tissue volume changes following weight gain in adults with anorexia nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2011;44(5):406-11. doi:10.1002/eat.20840Faust JP, Goldschmidt AB, Anderson KE, et al.Resumption of menses in anorexia nervosa during a course of family-based treatment.J Eat Disord. 2013;1:12. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-1-12Misra M, Golden NH, Katzman DK.State of the art systematic review of bone disease in anorexia nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2016;49(3):276-92. doi:10.1002/eat.22451Berrettini W.The genetics of eating disorders.Psychiatry(Edgmont). 2004;1(3):18-25.Murphy R, Straebler S, Cooper Z, Fairburn CG.Cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(3):611-27. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.04.004Jewell T, Blessitt E, Stewart C, Simic M, Eisler I.Family therapy for child and adolescent eating disorders: A critical review.Fam Process.2016;55(3):577-594. doi:10.1111/famp.12242Additional ReadingKaye WH, Bulik CM, Thornton L, Barbarich N, Masters K.Comorbidity of anxiety disorders with anorexia and bulimia nervosa.Am J Psychiatry. 2004;161(12):2215-21. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.161.12.2215Thomas JJ, Schaefer J.Almost Anorexic: Is My (or My Loved One’s) Relationship with Food a Problem? (The Almost Effect). Harvard University, 2013.
8 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.American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Chavez M, Insel TR.Eating disorders: National Institute of Mental Health’s perspective.Am Psychol. 2007;62(3):159-66. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.62.3.159Roberto CA, Mayer LE, Brickman AM, et al.Brain tissue volume changes following weight gain in adults with anorexia nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2011;44(5):406-11. doi:10.1002/eat.20840Faust JP, Goldschmidt AB, Anderson KE, et al.Resumption of menses in anorexia nervosa during a course of family-based treatment.J Eat Disord. 2013;1:12. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-1-12Misra M, Golden NH, Katzman DK.State of the art systematic review of bone disease in anorexia nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2016;49(3):276-92. doi:10.1002/eat.22451Berrettini W.The genetics of eating disorders.Psychiatry(Edgmont). 2004;1(3):18-25.Murphy R, Straebler S, Cooper Z, Fairburn CG.Cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(3):611-27. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.04.004Jewell T, Blessitt E, Stewart C, Simic M, Eisler I.Family therapy for child and adolescent eating disorders: A critical review.Fam Process.2016;55(3):577-594. doi:10.1111/famp.12242Additional ReadingKaye WH, Bulik CM, Thornton L, Barbarich N, Masters K.Comorbidity of anxiety disorders with anorexia and bulimia nervosa.Am J Psychiatry. 2004;161(12):2215-21. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.161.12.2215Thomas JJ, Schaefer J.Almost Anorexic: Is My (or My Loved One’s) Relationship with Food a Problem? (The Almost Effect). Harvard University, 2013.
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.
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Chavez M, Insel TR.Eating disorders: National Institute of Mental Health’s perspective.Am Psychol. 2007;62(3):159-66. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.62.3.159Roberto CA, Mayer LE, Brickman AM, et al.Brain tissue volume changes following weight gain in adults with anorexia nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2011;44(5):406-11. doi:10.1002/eat.20840Faust JP, Goldschmidt AB, Anderson KE, et al.Resumption of menses in anorexia nervosa during a course of family-based treatment.J Eat Disord. 2013;1:12. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-1-12Misra M, Golden NH, Katzman DK.State of the art systematic review of bone disease in anorexia nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2016;49(3):276-92. doi:10.1002/eat.22451Berrettini W.The genetics of eating disorders.Psychiatry(Edgmont). 2004;1(3):18-25.Murphy R, Straebler S, Cooper Z, Fairburn CG.Cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(3):611-27. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.04.004Jewell T, Blessitt E, Stewart C, Simic M, Eisler I.Family therapy for child and adolescent eating disorders: A critical review.Fam Process.2016;55(3):577-594. doi:10.1111/famp.12242
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Chavez M, Insel TR.Eating disorders: National Institute of Mental Health’s perspective.Am Psychol. 2007;62(3):159-66. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.62.3.159
Roberto CA, Mayer LE, Brickman AM, et al.Brain tissue volume changes following weight gain in adults with anorexia nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2011;44(5):406-11. doi:10.1002/eat.20840
Faust JP, Goldschmidt AB, Anderson KE, et al.Resumption of menses in anorexia nervosa during a course of family-based treatment.J Eat Disord. 2013;1:12. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-1-12
Misra M, Golden NH, Katzman DK.State of the art systematic review of bone disease in anorexia nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2016;49(3):276-92. doi:10.1002/eat.22451
Berrettini W.The genetics of eating disorders.Psychiatry(Edgmont). 2004;1(3):18-25.
Murphy R, Straebler S, Cooper Z, Fairburn CG.Cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(3):611-27. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.04.004
Jewell T, Blessitt E, Stewart C, Simic M, Eisler I.Family therapy for child and adolescent eating disorders: A critical review.Fam Process.2016;55(3):577-594. doi:10.1111/famp.12242
Kaye WH, Bulik CM, Thornton L, Barbarich N, Masters K.Comorbidity of anxiety disorders with anorexia and bulimia nervosa.Am J Psychiatry. 2004;161(12):2215-21. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.161.12.2215Thomas JJ, Schaefer J.Almost Anorexic: Is My (or My Loved One’s) Relationship with Food a Problem? (The Almost Effect). Harvard University, 2013.
Kaye WH, Bulik CM, Thornton L, Barbarich N, Masters K.Comorbidity of anxiety disorders with anorexia and bulimia nervosa.Am J Psychiatry. 2004;161(12):2215-21. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.161.12.2215
Thomas JJ, Schaefer J.Almost Anorexic: Is My (or My Loved One’s) Relationship with Food a Problem? (The Almost Effect). Harvard University, 2013.
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