Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that involve persistent eating issues and distressing thoughts and feelings around food, weight, and appearance. Eating disorders can involve a wide range of symptoms, such as food restriction, binge eating, or purging in ways like vomiting after eating or misusing laxatives, which can lead to serious health complications. Treatment typically involves a combination of talk therapy, nutritional counseling, and medical monitoring. Support groups can also play a key role in recovery.
What Are Eating Disorders? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and PreventionMedically Reviewed by Seth Gillihan, PhD | May 1, 2023
FAQ
What are the different types of eating disorders?
Types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, specified feeding and eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, pica, and rumination disorder, among others.
How do you help someone with an eating disorder?
Many with eating disorders may not think they need help or realize how severe their symptoms are. If you’re worried that a loved one may have an eating disorder, calmly talk to them about your concerns and offer support.
What are the signs of an eating disorder?
Signs and symptoms of an eating disorder are wide-ranging and can include food restriction, binge eating, purging in ways like vomiting after eating or misusing laxatives, skipping meals, or leaving during or after meals to use the bathroom, among others.
Can eating disorders be cured?
Recovery from eating disorders is possible with consistent treatment and support. Effective treatment options include talk therapy, nutrition counseling, and medical monitoring.
What are the health risks of eating disorders?
Eating disorders can lead to serious health complications, such as malnutrition, heart problems, dehydration, digestive problems, tooth decay, depression, anxiety, menstrual problems, growth issues, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, or death, among others.
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Kelsey M. Latimer, PhD, RN
Medical Reviewer
Kelsey M. Latimer, PhD, RN, is a psychologist, nurse, and certified eating disorder specialist, and is the founder and owner of KML Psychological Services.
Stephanie Albers, PhD, is an eating disorder clinical assessment program manager for Project Heal and a size-inclusive therapist for Libra Virtual Care. She maintains clinical lice...
Heidi Green, MD, is board certified in psychiatry, addiction medicine, and lifestyle medicine. She currently divides her time between maintaining a small private practice and worki...
Seth Gillihan, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, who helps people find personal growth by making important changes in their thoughts and...
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