ED info
Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa: Defined by low weight or significant weight loss. It can be characterized by two types: restrictive type uses over-exercise and/or undereating. Binge/purge type eats large amounts (thousands of calories) in one sitting and then rids the body by use of laxatives or vomiting (Range et al., 2021).
Bulimia Nervosa: Characterized by repeated episodes of bingeing and purging. Those affected are often normal weight.
Binge-eating disorder: Characterized by the same bingeing behaviors as those with Bulimia but without purging. Those impacted are usually overweight or obese.
Orthorexia: Characterized by being obsessed with the nutritional value of food. May consume adequate quantity but are highly selective in what they eat. Those experiencing can be normal or underweight.
ARFID: A feeding disorder that stands for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Characterized by malnutrition and limited variety or total intake which is not motivated by weight loss (Duffy et al., 2024).PICA: Characterized by eating non-food items and malnutrition. Sufferers can be normal or underweight.
Prevalence and Epidemiology
In Western countries, Anorexia Nervosa effects .8% of females and Bulimia effects 4%. The prevalence is lower for males (Range et al., 2021). Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders. The population most susceptible to Eating Disorders are adolescent and young adult females. The cause is still being studied, but it’s hypothesized that a combination of genetic and environmental factors contribute. Someone is born with a genetic predisposition and a significant life event can trigger the symptoms. While body image issues are correlated with some eating disorders, one of my therapists in treatment used to say: “body dissatisfaction is not enough of a reason for someone to risk their lives for this illness.”
Disclaimer
I am not a licensed therapist or dietician. If you or someone you love is suffering from an Eating Disorder, it is imperative that you seek professional help. This website was simply created to be a resource and a testimony of lived experience. While I believe the conventional treatment approach can work, I recognize that not everyone has the finances or time to dedicate to inpatient level of care. I also know people personally who’ve recovered without admitting to a whole or partial hospitalization program.