Eating Disorders: Symptoms, Causes, & Solutions

Introduction

According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, approximately 9 percent of the world’s population struggles with an eating disorder.

Eating disorders affect millions of people each year. However, there’s a lot of confusion about what they look like, who develops them, and what should be done to treat them.

Outlined below are some of the most commonly asked eating disorder questions, with answers.

Table of Contents

(click on a question below to be directed quickly)

What Is an Eating Disorder?
What Are the Most Common Types of Eating Disorders and What Are Their Signs?
When Does Picky Eating Become a Disorder?
What’s the Difference Between Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating?
Who Is Most Likely to Have an Eating Disorder?
How Can You Avoid an Eating Disorder?
How Long Do Eating Disorders Last?
What Should I Do if I Think I Have an Eating Disorder?
References

What Is an Eating Disorder?

The American Psychiatric Association defines eating disorders as behavioral conditions. They’re characterized by severe and persistent behaviors related to food. Additionally, distressing thought patterns and emotions are present. The severity of an eating disorder can range from mild to dangerous.

What Are the Most Common Types of Eating Disorders and What Are Their Signs?

There are several different types of eating disorders. The three most common ones are described below, along with some of the symptoms associated with them:

Anorexia Nervosa

This disorder is an eating disorder characterized by a severe compulsion to restrict one’s food and calorie intake.

The following are some common signs associated with anorexia:

• Dramatic, rapid weight loss
• Extreme preoccupation with their weight and food intake
• Constantly making comments about feeling “fat” or wanting to lose weight
• Maintaining an excessively rigid exercise regimen to increase calorie burn

It’s important to note that one does not have to be underweight to be dealing with anorexia. Even if someone is technically a normal weight or even overweight, they might still be engaging in behaviors that fall under the anorexia nervosa umbrella.

Bulimia Nervosa

This is characterized by binging (eating a lot of food in one sitting) and then taking steps to purge that food (making oneself throw up, using laxatives, exercising for hours to “burn off” the calories consumed, etc.).

If someone is dealing with bulimia nervosa, they often exhibit the following signs:

• Large amounts of food disappearing in short periods of time
• Frequent trips to the bathroom after eating
• Signs, smells, or sounds of vomiting
• Presence of wrappers or laxative packages in the trash
• Constantly drinking water or calorie-free beverages
• Using lots of mouthwash, gum, or mints
• Dental problems like enamel erosion, cavities, and tooth discoloration

Binge Eating Disorder

This is characterized by regularly binging (eating large quantities of food) without engaging in any compensatory measures (like purging).

When one binges, they often feel as though they’re out of control. They also tend to experience shame, guilt, and emotional distress afterward.

The following are some potential indicators that someone is dealing with a binge eating disorder:

• Secret and recurrent binge-eating episodes
• Stealing or hoarding food
• Creating schedules or rituals to create room for binge eating without anyone knowing
• Large amounts of food disappearing in short periods of time

When Does Picky Eating Become a Disorder?

Some people might worry that, just because they’re picky eaters or have particular habits around food, they’re dealing with an eating disorder. That’s not always the case, though.

There’s a big difference between being picky, having disordered eating behaviors, and having a full-blown eating disorder.

It’s fine to have preferences, and it’s fine to like eating specific foods or eating in a certain way. Sometimes, though, people use preferences or pickiness as an excuse to engage in disordered eating.

What’s the Difference Between Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating?

Eating disorders are behavioral conditions. Temimah Zucker, LMSW points out that they’re characterized by multiple repetitive, problematic behaviors and obsessive thoughts around food.

Disordered eating behaviors, such as rigid calorie counting or avoiding certain foods because they’re high in calories, may be problematic. However, Zucker explains, they don’t always escalate into diagnosable eating disorders.

Find a qualified therapist to determine whether you may have an eating disorder, 

Who Is Most Likely to Have an Eating Disorder?

Anyone can develop an eating disorder. However, some people are more likely to develop them than others, including the following:

• Those who struggle with other mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or obsessive-compulsive disorder
• People who have a family history of eating disorders
• Those who are going through serious life transitions (a move, a divorce, going to a new school, etc.)

People who are involved in certain extracurricular activities may also be more prone to eating disorders. For example, dancers and gymnasts might struggle with the pressure to maintain a certain size and will engage in disordered behaviors to help them cope.

How Can You Avoid an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders might not be 100 percent preventable, but there are still steps one can take to reduce their chances of developing one.

For example, they can work with a counselor to avoid dividing foods into “good” and “bad” categories. They can also minimize the amount of time they spend weighing themselves, taking measurements, or “body checking” in the mirror.

Exposure to many body types can be beneficial those who are worried about developing eating disorders. Many body kinds of shapes are not frequently seen on social media or on TV. This makes it easier to avoid falling into a comparison trap. Then, people may try to achieve a size or body type that’s unhealthy for them.

How Long Do Eating Disorders Last?

It’s hard to say exactly how long it takes to recover from an eating disorder. Everyone’s recovery process is different, after all.

In general, the sooner someone seeks treatment, the more likely they are to recover and the sooner they can start feeling free from their eating disorder.

One of the most important things to remember is that most people who develop eating disorders do recover. For example, one study published by Massachusetts General Hospital revealed that 62.8 percent of participants with anorexia and 68.2 percent of participants with bulimia had fully recovered from their disorders.

What Should I Do if I Think I Have an Eating Disorder?

For those who suspect they have an eating disorder, psychotherapy can be immensely helpful. Working with an Eating Disorder therapist may be best.

Working with a licensed therapist can help those who are struggling to get to the bottom of what has contributed to their condition. It also helps people with eating disorders to learn healthy coping mechanisms for stress and other triggers.

It’s important to work with a therapist who understands and specializes in eating disorders. These therapists will be better equipped to deal with the unique struggles that accompany eating disorders and will know what’s required to help their patients make progress sooner.

At ALL IN, we have a counselor with specialty in eating disorders: Bridget.

References:

Disclaimer: ALL IN Therapy Clinic aims to improve people’s lives by providing effective mental health counseling by passionate professionals. We publish information for your own education. Our publications are researched, cited, reviewed, and edited by licensed mental health professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.