Eating disorder is a term used to describe illnesses characterized by a disturbance in attitudes and behaviors relating to eating, body weight, and body image. Eating disorders can cause serious medical complications, including osteoporosis and irregular heartbeat. Osteoporosis is a condition in which a person’s bones become abnormally fragile. Eating disorders can even cause death. Eating disorders include (1) anorexia nervosa, (2) bulimia nervosa, (3) binge eating disorder (BED), (4) avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and (5) other specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED).
People with anorexia nervosa, which is often simply called anorexia, restrict their eating and, as a result, experience severe weight loss. Many people with anorexia are underweight. Individuals with bulimia nervosa (often simply called bulimia), as well as those with BED, experience recurring periods of overeating called binges. Bulimia is always associated with attempts to make up for excessive eating, usually by vomiting, using laxatives, compulsively exercising, or following a restricted diet. Individuals with BED do not engage in these behaviors.
Individuals with ARFID restrict their food intake for reasons other than concerns about weight and body shape. They may restrict their eating because they have an extreme dislike of certain sensations, fear a bad outcome from eating such as vomiting or choking, or lack interest in eating. OSFED refers to any eating disorder that has most, but not all, symptoms of anorexia or bulimia, or that has prominent eating or body-image symptoms that differ from the usual symptoms of anorexia or bulimia.
Eating disorders typically emerge in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood and can affect adults at any age. Although eating disorders are more common in girls and women, they affect people of all genders, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and social and economic statuses.
The causes of eating disorders are uncertain. However, experts think that genetic (inherited), neurological (brain-based), psychological, and environmental factors contribute to their development. Eating disorders are considered brain-based disorders, like all other psychiatric disorders.
Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. Hospitals and clinics offer a number of evidence-based treatments for eating disorders. For example, doctors may recommend individual, group, or family therapy. Treatment with medication can also be helpful. Doctors, nurses, psychologists, and other clinic workers who treat eating disorders attend to the medical, nutritional, and psychological aspects of the disorders. Treatment is available at various levels of intensity, from full-time or part-time hospitalization to weekly outpatient appointments.
See also Adolescent (Eating disorders); Body image.
