Eating disorders are a severe condition that can threaten a person’s physical and emotional well-being. There are several types of eating disorders that can affect people in different ways. Regardless of what kind of condition you have,
eating disorder recovery groups are available to help you with your disorder.
Whether you are struggling with anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating, you can get the help you need from trained professionals and peers who are also on the road to recovery. Below are common types of eating disorders and the signs or symptoms you should look for to identify a problem.
Types of Eating Disorders
Not all eating disorders are the same. Furthermore, they do not occur for the same reasons. Some of the most common types of disorders include:
Anorexia Nervosa
When a person has a distorted view of their physical appearance, they may decide to stop eating or limit their eating to the point of merely surviving. An individual may also form an obsession with exercising as a form of losing weight. Symptoms of anorexia may include:
- Irregular weight loss
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Problems with hair
- Dry or pale skin
- Dizziness or fainting
Someone who is suffering from anorexia has an abnormal fear of gaining weight and an excessive need to control their body image. They may also worry about how their clothes make them look. Abusing diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics is also a sign that someone has anorexia nervosa.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is similar to anorexia in that the goal is to lose weight. However, the approach is different. Instead of starvation, a person may overeat compulsively and then induce vomiting almost immediately after eating. For instance, an individual may eat dinner with the family and then ask to be excused from the table so that they can throw up. Symptoms of bulimia nervosa may include:
- Binge eating
- Chronic sore throat
- Blood vessel damage in the eyes
- Fluctuations in weight
- Problems with digestions
- Swollen cheeks or neck glands
- Tooth decay or cavities
Like those who suffer from anorexia, people who have bulimia obsess over their weight. They often have a poor self-image and constantly criticize how they look. They may also suffer from other conditions such as alcohol or drug abuse. If so, they may want to consider getting help at an
eating disorder treatment center.
Binge Eating Disorder
Like Bulimia nervosa, binge eating is characterized by compulsive eating. More specifically, a person may consume large quantities of food uncontrollably in a single sitting. Keep in mind that binge eating does not qualify as a disorder. The disorder occurs when binge eating becomes an addiction or pattern similar to any other addiction. Symptoms of binge eating disorder may include:
- Rapid weight gain
- Excessive guilt and depression
- Eating larger amounts of food than normal
- An obsession with food
- Eating to the point of feeling pain or discomfort
- Eating even when there is no hunger
A person who has a binge eating disorder will continue to consume even when they have no appetite. They may binge at any time during the day for no reason. The individual may hide food throughout the house or eat in isolation, hoping that no one is watching. When this occurs, it is important to get help for the individual right away. Binge eating can lead to a wide range of health problems.
Do You Have an Eating Disorder? Get Help Today
Regardless of the types of eating disorders, there is always hope to overcome them. A
women’s eating disorder treatment center can help you address your disorder and get on the road to recovery. Reach out and begin the path to healing today.