Finding Help for Different Types of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders affect millions of people each year. Women are typically more prone to developing an eating disorder, but men, mostly adolescent and young adult males, can develop the mental condition. Although eating disorders are considered mental conditions, they are also behavioral conditions. There are several different types of eating disorders.

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are behavioral conditions in which the person obsesses over their weight and size to the point that it interferes with their daily life. Their thoughts focus on attaining a specific size or weight. Their behaviors may vary depending on the different types of eating disorders present. Most eating disorders symptoms include going for long periods without food, purging food through various means, and over-exercising.

Eating disorders can be fatal if left untreated. An estimated 10,200 people die each year from an eating disorder.

The different types of eating disorders

There are different types of eating disorders, and when we compare them, we notice the similarities and startling differences. For example, as mentioned, eating disorders may have an abnormal focus on food and weight gain or appearance. Starvation or purging is typically present in most eating disorders.

But that is where the similarities end and the different types of eating disorders begin. By the time a woman reaches her forties and fifties, she may have already developed an eating disorder in her lifetime (15% of women), yet only 27% of these women will seek treatment. Eating disorders also increase the risk of suicide. Sufferers have an 11% higher risk of suicide compared to their peers without an eating disorder.

Treatment for eating disorders generally includes medical treatment to stop the physical decline and get the patient out of the danger zone. Behavior and psychological treatments come next to change thoughts and actions. A nutritionist may educate and guide patients to make menus, grocery shop, cook meals, and eat small portions regularly.

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is the most fatal of the different types of eating disorders. Not only can someone die from the complications that arise from anorexia behaviors, but the suicide risk jumps 18% for people with anorexia compared to their peers without an eating disorder.

Anorexia is known for its starvation behavior. People with anorexia fear gaining weight and go to extremes to keep their body underweight. They have a gaunt appearance, and often, you can see their bones underneath the skin as they lose muscle mass. They skip meals or forget to eat.

In many cases, over-exercise is applied as a form of purging. If a person with anorexia does eat, they will want to undo the calories before the body has time to digest the food. They may spend hours doing cardio or walking on a treadmill. This type of anorexia is known as the restricting type.

Some people with anorexia also resort to occasional binge eating and purging as they are caught in a cycle. They may starve themselves for days or weeks, eating the bare minimum to exist and then binge eating. They feel they need to burn the calories immediately and may over-exercise or find another purging method, like vomiting.

Symptoms of anorexia include:

• Underweight and gaunt appearance.
• Slow heart rate.
• Low blood pressure.
• Dizziness or fainting.
• Denial of hunger.
• Food avoidance.
• Dehydration.
• Fatigue
• Anxiety.
• Dry skin.
• Brittle nails and dry skin.
• Compulsive behaviors.
• Going long periods without food/starvation.
• Depression.
• Headaches and body aches.
• Digestive issues.
• Cognitive issues.

The first line of treatment for anorexia nervosa (as well as other types of eating disorders) is to ensure that the patient is out of immediate physical danger. Medical treatment is necessary to help the patient regain weight and escape the danger zone. Once the patient is stable, counseling and behavioral therapy are introduced.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is marked by the impulse to purge food to keep from gaining weight. The patient may eat normally, or binge eat and then purge. Purging methods can include vomiting, enemas, laxatives, diuretics, or over-exercise.

Over 70% of people with an eating disorder also have comorbid mental health conditions. For example, someone with bulimia may also struggle with anxiety or depression. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders states that girls with ADHD are 5.6 times more likely to suffer from bulimic behaviors.

Purging is a compulsive behavior, and often, therapists will treat it with behavioral therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This method helps the patient recognize the emotions, thoughts, and sensations leading to a purge and change the behavior.

They learn to change their thoughts and resulting emotions. As with any therapy, this method takes practice, and someone who has bulimia should not feel as if they have failed if they give into the impulse the first few times. They should work with their counselor to circumvent the obstacles.

Bulimia symptoms include:

• Average weight or overweight in appearance.
• Nutrient deficiencies.
• Evidence of vomiting after a meal.
• Digestive issues.
• Issues with teeth and esophagus (from vomiting).
• Marks on hands from forced vomiting.
• Misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.
• Strange eating patterns.
• Eating in secret.
• Irregular periods or menstruation cycles.
• Fatigue.
• Mood swings.
• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Skewed perception of weight, shape, or appearance.
• Preoccupation with diet and fitness.
• Over-exercising.

Treatments for bulimia include medical intervention to ensure the patient’s health is out of danger, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, talk therapy, group therapy, and nutrition education.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating is a cyclical disorder. The more the cycle is repeated, the more vicious it becomes. In binge eating disorder, the patient may go long periods without food and then consume a large quantity of food in a short time, typically within a two-hour time frame.

In some cases, the person with binge eating tendencies may eat on a regular schedule and then feel the urge to eat. This urge is strong, and they feel pulled toward eating. They may eat a variety of foods during the binge.

Unlike anorexia and bulimia, people who binge eat do not purge the food. They may “punish” themselves after a binge, vowing not to eat the next day or to start a new diet. However, the compulsive behavior, if triggered, will draw them back into a binge.

Binge eating disorder symptoms:

• Eating quickly in a short period of time.
• Experiencing binging episodes a few times a week.
• Eating in secret.
• Eating beyond full.
• Not being able to sense when the stomach is full.
• Digestion issues.
• Typically overweight or obese.
• Constant dieting.
• Hoarding or hiding food.
• Feelings of worthlessness.
• Depression and anxiety.
• Isolation.
• Planning binges for fun.
• Feeling sick and guilty after a binging episode.
• Physical conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Treatment for binge eating disorder includes nutrition counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, individual talk therapy, and group therapy.

Avoidant restrictive food intake (ARFID) and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED)

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) typically appears in children. These children become focused on the taste, smell, appearance, and texture of food. In some cases, the child finds food uninteresting. Or, they may fear choking or having an allergic reaction (even if there is no basis for this fear). They may insist on eating the same foods from a small list of suitable items. This can lead to malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies.

Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED) include disordered eating behaviors that fall outside of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and ARFID’s full spectrum of criteria. The patient may meet the criteria for an eating disorder. However, the frequency of episodes or their current weight may place them in the OSFED category.

Do you struggle with an eating disorder?

Do you or a loved one struggle with one of the different types of eating disorders? Are you unsure if you should seek help? Eating disorders cause physical and psychological issues. Your physical health can quickly decline without proper medical treatment.

Contact us today to schedule an assessment appointment with a counselor specializing in the different types of eating disorders. It is not too late to start treatment. Contact us today.