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3 Most Common Eating Disorders

Last week, we looked at how fasting for long periods of time could potentially be a trigger for people who are at risk of developing an eating disorder. It can also trigger a relapse in people who are recovering from a previous eating disorder. It is very important to be educated on the different types of eating disorders that people may be struggling with. The more aware we are of the different kinds of eating disorders, the more we are able to understand and provide support.

This week, we’re taking a closer look at the three most common eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder, and Bulimia Nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa

This disorder is characterized by the following:

  • Insufficient intake of food resulting in extremely low bodyweight
  • Obsession with weight, extreme fear of weight gain, constantly trying to prevent weight gain
  • Self-esteem attached to body image
  • Minimization or unawareness of conditions severity

There are two sub-types of Anorexia Nervosa:

1. Binge-Eating/Purging Type: Binge-eating and/or purging behaviors in the last three months
2. Restricting Type: No binge-eating or purging involved

Binge-Eating Disorder

Binge-eating disorder is characterized by the following:

  • Frequent sessions of eating very large amounts of food without preventative behaviors such as self-induced vomiting
  • Frequent sessions of feeling loss of control during the binge eating episodes
  • Clear signs that binge-eating is out of control – binge-eating behavior occurs without hunger, until individual feels discomfort, or in isolation out of shame
  • Stockpiling of food to eat at later times
  • ​Feelings of stress and/or tension only relieved by eating
  • Embarrassment over amount of food eaten
  • Feelings of numbness while/after eating
  • Feelings of satisfaction even after eating
  • Feelings of guilt, disgust, shame, depression after eating

Individuals with binge-eating disorder oftentimes report issues with stress, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, and health. Additionally, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are common side effects of people with eating disorders.

Bulimia Nervosa

  • Frequent sessions of consuming large amounts of food which are followed by preventative behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting
  • Frequent sessions of feeling loss of control during binge-eating
  • Self-esteem attached to body image

Eating disorders are serious conditions and can only be diagnosed by a trained healthcare professional. The characteristics and symptoms in this post have been simplified for the purpose of this blog, which is to spread general awareness.