Eating disorders are mental health conditions that are characterized by eating behaviors that bring about negative physical and mental symptoms. Fortunately, professional assistance through treatment and medication is successful in helping people living with eating disorders establish a healthy lifestyle. But, there is more than just one type of eating disorder. So, it’s important to first identify the type of eating disorder a person is living with. This way, proper treatment planning may take place so an individual can get the most personalized, appropriate care possible. In this article, we’ll explain all types of eating disorders and their symptoms. Therefore, giving individuals who may be living with these disorders information in order to determine if they may be living with one of these disorders. And, get the help they need to live life free from the damaging symptoms and effects of these disorders.

Determining All Types of Eating Disorders

Some eating disorders are much more common than others. And, some may share similar symptoms. So, it can be challenging to determine which eating disorder a person may be living with without professional help. But, learning more about all types of eating disorders can help pinpoint which one an individual may be dealing with so they may seek the care they require.

Some of the most common eating disorders diagnosed include:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
• Other Specified Eating Disorder (OSED)
• Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

More About Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is a life-threatening, serious eating disorder that is classified by restricted eating. Individuals living with Anorexia Nervosa may restrict eating to the point of malnourishment, which leads to damages to both the physical and psychological.

Some of the signs that someone is dealing with Anorexia Nervosa include:

• low or decreasing body weight in relation to a person’s height, age, health, and other factors
• excessive exercise
• restrictive eating behaviors like fasting or eliminating certain foods or food groups from diet
• an inability to recognize one’s own low body weight, restrictive eating habits, and weight loss
• obsession and fear of gaining weight

More About Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder that includes two characteristics for diagnosis; binging and purging (of calories or food). Essentially, individuals living with this disorder will binge eat, or eat in excessive amounts at a rapid rate. Then, purging of the meal, with either self-inflicted vomiting, fasting, or restrictive behaviors in order to not gain weight.

Some of the signs that a person may be living with Bulimia Nervosa can include:

• Experiencing feelings of shame, guilt, and regret after routine binge eating of large amounts of food
• Use of purging behaviors to prevent weight gain by means of self-induced vomiting, the use of diuretics or laxatives, immoderate exercise, or fasting altogether
• Experiencing consistent patterns of binging and purging behaviors
• Disconnected self-image in terms of body size and weight

More About Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by patterns of excessive overeating, often in rapid fashion. Unlike Bulimia Nervosa, individuals who experience BED may not showcase behaviors of purging in order to prevent weight gain.

Signs that a person may be experiencing Binge Eating Disorder and need help include:

• Routinely and persistently eating large amounts of food
• Feelings of the inability to control how much is being eaten
• Eating food rapidly
• Eating in isolation to avoid others

More About Other Specified Eating Disorder (OSED)

Individuals who may have some characteristics but not all of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge Eating Disorder may receive a diagnosis for Other Specified Eating Disorder, or OSED. Specifically, individuals with OSED may experience one or more symptoms of any of these three eating disorders without displaying the entire characteristics required for a diagnosis of these disorders.

Some of the signs that a person with OSED may display can include a variety of symptoms like:

• all of the same symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa except the individual is within the healthy weight range for his/her health, age, height, etc.
• the same symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa except the individual may experience these symptoms less frequently
• all of the same symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder except the individual may experience these symptoms less frequently
• purging behaviors to prevent weight gain
• experiencing night eating syndrome, which is eating at night after the final meal of the day without control

More About Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

This eating disorder is characterized by restrictive eating behaviors, like not eating certain foods or food groups. And, restricting eating behaviors that don’t characterize other types of eating disorders.

Some of the signs and symptoms that someone with ARFID may experience include:

• lacking interest in certain foods or entire food groups
• avoiding foods based on texture or other reason for dislike
• nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition
• weight loss, either extreme amounts or in short periods of time
• negative responses to eating like choking, gagging, or involuntary vomiting

Getting Help for Eating Disorders at Delray Center for Healing

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above symptoms of all types of eating disorders listed above, there may be an eating disorder issue at hand. Fortunately, professional help through treatment is successful in helping individuals living with eating disorders.

You can get the help you need to live a life free from the negative effects of your disordered eating. Learn more about our outpatient eating disorder services and other offerings at our South Florida treatment location right on our website. And, give us a call today to speak with us confidentially at 888-699-5679.