What are the main types of eating disorders?

Eating disorders are a group of grave mental health conditions that can seriously compromise one’s mental and physical health. It is critical to treat these diagnoses immediately and effectively as they can cause irreversible damage. They are characterized by disruptions in individuals’ eating behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, which manifest themselves in various ways including but not limited to:

Anorexia nervosa

This eating disorder is defined by an irrational, intense fear of gaining and being overweight which results in one being dangerously thin. It is the most lethal psychiatric disorder. It typically develops in teenagers and young adults and is more prevalent in girls than boys.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa typically occurs in younger men and women (higher incidence.) They attempt to manage weight by binge eating to the point of discomfort and engage in compensatory behaviors: vomiting, taking laxatives, exercising excessively, or using water pills.

Binge eating disorder

Unlike bulimia, people suffering from Binge eating disorder do not purge. They experience a loss of control as they consume large quantities of food in a short time resulting in feelings of shame, guilt, or sadness.

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

In contrast to Anorexia, individuals with ARFID restrict food due to intense aversions to specific textures, colors, or smells of food, or a lack of interest in eating altogether. Consequently, significant nutritional deficiencies and weight loss can occur