Eating disorders are a serious issue affecting people of all ages, genders, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Eating disorders are mental health conditions that affect the way people think, feel, and behave about food and their body image. This article will explain the different types of eating disorders.
Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a restriction of nutrient intake relative to the individuals requirements, leading to a significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health. AN is often accompanied by a fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. Anorexia Nervosa can lead to malnutrition, bone loss, anemia, and abnormal heart rhythms/heart failure. Over time, anorexia nervosa can lead to significant damage to the heart, brain, and other organs and an increased risk of death.
Subtypes:
Restricting type- individuals are dieting, fasting, or excessively exercising
Binge-eating/purging type- individuals are also engaging in binge/purge behaviors
Atypical Anorexia Nervosa: Those who suffer from AAN will meet all the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa, without the person's weight being below the normal range.
Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, or excessive exercise. People with bulimia nervosa may feel a loss of control over their eating behaviors and experience intense feelings of guilt and shame. Bulimia Nervosa can lead to electrolyte imbalances, tooth decay, acid reflux, irregular heartbeat/cardiac arrest, and severe dehydration.
Bulimia Nervosa (of low frequency and/or limited duration): All of the criteria for bulimia nervosa are met, except that the binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviours occur, on average, less than once a week and/or for less than 3 months.
Binge Eating Disorder: Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of eating large amount of foods within a short amount of time (typically <2 hours). People with binge eating disorder often feel a lack of control over their eating behaviors and may continue eating even when they are uncomfortably full.
Binge Eating Disorder (of low frequency and/or limited duration): All of the criteria for BED are met, except at a lower frequency and/or for less than three months.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterized by a persistent lack of interest in eating, avoidance of certain foods due to a fear of an aversive consequence such as choking, or restriction of food intake based on the sensory characteristics of food. People with ARFID may experience weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and delayed growth and development. If left untreated, ARFID can lead to serious health consequences such as malnutrition, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.
Orthorexia Nervosa: Orthorexia nervosa is characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with healthy eating. It has not been formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manuel. People with orthorexia nervosa may restrict their diets to only "clean" or "pure" foods, and may feel guilty or anxious when they eat something that they perceive to be unhealthy. Some physical effects of orthorexia nervosa include malnutrition, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and digestive problems.
Purging Disorder: Recurrent purging behaviour to influence weight or shape in the absence of binge eating.
Night Eating Syndrome: Associated with recurrent episodes of night eating: eating after awakening for sleep or by excessive food consumption after the evening meal. This disorder pattern is not better explained by another disorder or external influences. It leads to distress and/or impairment in functioning.
PICA: PICA is an eating disorder defined by eating non-food substances that have no nutritional value for a period of at least one month. It often occurs with other mental health disorders associated with impaired functioning.
Rumination Disorder: Characterized by repeated regurgitation of food over a period of at least 1 month. Regurgitated food may be re- chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out and is not related to another medical condition.
Conclusion
Eating disorders can have severe physical and psychological consequences. If you think you or your loved one may have an eating disorder, contact a qualified health professional to complete a thorough evaluation using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for eating disorders.
References: American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.
Dunn, T. M., & Bratman, S. (2016). On orthorexia nervosa: a review of the literature and proposed diagnostic criteria. Eating behaviors, 21, 11-17.
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