There are three types of eating disorders recognized and treated by medical professionals. The three eating disorders include: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS).
There are numerous themes that are similar across the spectrum of these three eating disorders. They include:
- Dieting & Change in Dieting Patterns
- Weight Concerns
- Anxiety
- Control Issues
- Depression
- Perfectionism
- Drug & Alcohol Use
- Media Exploitation
- Trauma
- Isolation
Anorexia Nervosa
Individuals who have diagnosed with anorexia nervosa typically have conditions characterized by deliberate self-starvation, fear of weight gain and body image distortions. Most anorexics are consumed or obsessed with food, weight, counting calories, and prolonged exercise routines. Anorexia is a serious life-threatening condition that needs to be addressed by a trained medical doctor.
Bulimia Nervosa
Like anorexia, bulimia nervosa is a serious life-threatening disorder that needs to be addressed by a medical professional. This eating disorder is characterized by reoccurring episodes of binge-eating followed by self-induced vomiting or purging of food. Some bulimics use laxatives and/or diuretics as a means to control weight. Bulimics are not necessarily skinning or thin. Like the anorexic, the bulimic has an unrealistic evaluation of themselves when it comes to assessing their own weight or personal self-image.
EDNOS
(Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified)
Binge-eating disorder (BED) and Compulsive overeating Disorder (COE) are two other common eating disorder categories. These two categories do not meet the specific criteria of anorexia or bulimia.
BED: An individual with this eating disorder overeats large amount of food with no purging or exercise component to loss the food or weight. The feeling or desire to eat is continual, even when the body feels “full.” The individual also feels overwhelmed, out of control and unable to stop the desire to eat. An individual with this eating disorder is often overweight and out of shape.
Do you, a friend or a loved one have an eating disorder? Contact:
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