Eating disorders

Learn about the symptoms of an eating disorder, plus discover the different types and how to get help.

Types of eating disorders

Signs and symptoms of eating disorders

What are the causes and who’s most at risk

Where to get help

Anyone can develop an eating disorder no matter what their age, gender, ethnicity or background is. Find out about the different types, how to spot the signs in yourself (as well as in others), and where to get the right help.

An eating disorder is a mental illness and is about taking control using food to cope with certain feelings, or situations. This may mean eating too much, or too little, or you focus on your weight or shape.  

If not treated, an eating disorder can affect your working and home life, plus relationships with family and friends. But getting the right treatment can help you recover. 


## Types of eating disorders

The 3 most common eating disorders are: 

- __[anorexia nervosa](/health-library/conditions/anorexia-nervosa)__ – not eating enough food and/or exercising obsessively to control your weight
- __[bulimia nervosa](/health-library/conditions/bulimia)__ – loss of control over the amount you eat followed by purging to get rid of the calories – which can include vomiting or over-exercising.
- __[binge-eating disorder (BED)](/health-library/conditions/binge-eating)__ – eating a lot of food in one go and feeling uncomfortably full, plus struggling with feelings such as guilt afterwards. 

[Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)](https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disorder-arfid/) is a different type of condition, not related to body image or weight. 

Instead, it’s when you avoid a certain food or food groups, or limit what you eat, because you don’t like the smell, taste, texture or you had a bad experience with it in the past. 

There are many different eating problems and behaviors that might not fit neatly into specific eating disorders  – these are often referred to as [other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)](https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/osfed/). 


Get help with this

## Signs and symptoms of eating disorders

Symptoms of eating disorders vary from person to person. But if you, or someone close to you, has an eating disorder you may notice changes such as: 

- __emotional/behavioral symptoms:__
  - excessive worrying about your body weight and shape 
  - eating very little
  - exercising excessively 
  - eating in secret, or on your own 
  - making yourself sick or taking laxatives after eating
  - an obsession with food and the preparation of it, including calories and portion sizes
  - isolating yourself from friends and family, or avoiding social situations

__- physical symptoms:__
- feeling very tired or weak
- thinning hair, or hair that breaks easily
- feeling cold
- digestion problems - [constipation](/health-library/conditions/constipation)/[bloating](/health-library/symptoms/what-causes-bloating-in-your-stomach)
- dizziness
- mood swings

[Seeking help](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/eating-disorders#where-to-get-help) as soon as possible is important to make a full recovery from an eating disorder. 


## What are the causes and who’s most at risk

It’s not clear what causes any type of eating disorder, but it’s thought to be the result of several different factors – from genetics, biological changes and cultural influences, to mental health conditions and past trauma. 

Having said this, you might be more likely to develop an eating disorder if you: 

- have a family history of eating disorders
- have other mental health issues, like low self esteem, [depression](/health-library/conditions/depression) or [anxiety](/health-library/conditions/anxiety)
- feel under pressure from society (or those around you) to be thin
- have experienced trauma (ie physical or sexual)


## Where to get help

It’s important to seek help as soon as possible if you think you have an eating disorder. Having an eating disorder can cause severe health problems. The first step is usually to see your doctor.  

Recovery from an eating disorder won’t happen overnight, but it’s possible to see good progress if you stick to the treatment plan outlined by your doctor.

Treatment will be different depending on your unique situation, and the eating disorder, but usually follows one or more of these methods: 

- __talk therapy__ – for example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you change unhealthy behaviors and identify your triggers
- __medication__ – for example, antidepressants are sometimes used to help manage certain eating disorders or symptoms of depression or anxiety
- __nutritional support__ – with the help of a dietician, it can help reframe your mindset around food, and the way you relate to it

### Getting support for an eating disorder

Alongside medical help, be aware that support is available to you to help with your recovery journey – whether that comes from friends and family, or external sources like eating disorder support groups. 

Some of these support groups include:

- [The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)](https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/)
- [BEAT](https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/i-need-support-now/online-support-groups/)
- [The National Alliance for Eating Disorders](https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/eating-disorder-support-groups-and-programs/#locations)
- [The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)](https://anad.org/)


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References

Amelia Glean

Jo Wheatley

Dr Maria Reza

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