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Eating Disorders
On this page, you will find detailed information about different types of eating disorders, their signs and symptoms, and treatment options available for those seeking help.
Anorexia Nervosa can be characterized by restricted energy intake to obtain a desired low body weight. Individuals with anorexia fear weight gain, leading them to restrict the number of calories they consume and obsess over physical movement. Signs of anorexia include a distorted body image, excessive exercise, significant weight loss, restricted caloric intake, obsessions regarding meals, forced purging, loss of a menstrual cycle, and mood changes.
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
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BINGE-EATING DISORDER
Binge-Eating Disorder can be characterized by recurrent episodes of binge-eating and the lack of control regarding food intake. Individuals who experience binge-eating episodes often feel out of control and eat larger amounts of food. Signs of binge-eating include rapid pacing during meals, eating when you are not hungry or overly full, eating in private/hiding food, and experiencing shame and guilt after eating.
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Bulimia Nervosa can be characterized by recurrent episodes of binge-eating, followed by forced purging. Individuals with bulimia experience binge-eaten episodes where they feel out of control and eat larger amounts of food in one sitting. Following these episodes, individuals will purge the food through vomiting or the use of laxatives/diuretics. Similarly to Binge-Eating Disorder, those with bulimia will experience feelings of embarrassment, often eating in private/hiding food.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is characterized by eating disturbances caused by the lack of interest in food, the avoidance of foods due to sensory components (texture, color, appearance), or the fear of aversive consequences (choking, vomiting, and/or allergic reactions). While picky eating is a common feature of childhood development, there is importance in knowing when therapeutic intervention may be needed. Signs of ARFID include significant weight loss or failure to maintain expected weight gain, nutritional deficiency, dependence on nutritional supplements, interference with psychosocial functioning, significant distress when introduced to new foods, and the lack of interest in previously enjoyed foods.
BULIMIA NERVOSA
AVOIDANT / RESTRICTIVE FOOD INTAKE DISORDER
(ARFID)
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Treatment for
Eating Disorders
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): helps those with disordered eating identify and challenge the negative thoughts regarding specific food rules, body image distress, and physical movement.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): engages those with disordered eating in practices of mindfulness, self-examiness, and distress tolerance techniques to assist with emotion regulation surrounding food rules and body image.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): assists those experiencing disordered eating to acknowledge their unwanted thoughts and behaviors without trying to change them, while committing to living within their personal values.
- Family-Based Treatment (FBT): engages parents and caregivers into treatment for encouragement of weight restoration through control of caloric intake, management of binging or purging, empowerment of support, and externalization of the eating disorder.
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): assists those with feared foods (either due to sensory or nutritional components) in developing an exposure hierarchy for gradual exposures to the feared stimuli, paired with techniques aimed at implementing skills for emotional regulation.
Treating eating disorders requires a comprehensive and individualized approach, as each person’s experience with these conditions is unique. Effective treatment often involves a combination of therapeutic techniques designed to address the underlying emotional, psychological, and physical factors contributing to disordered eating behaviors. With the right support, individuals can learn to develop healthier relationships with food, their bodies, and themselves.
