Education
What is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are illnesses that cause severe disturbances to a person’s eating
behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. These illnesses can cause serious
harm and are sometimes fatal. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa,
bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. (S.B. 184 Report DSHS)
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is defined by the restriction of nutrient intake relative to requirements, which leads to significantly low body weight. Patients with Anorexia Nervosa will have a fear of gaining weight along with a distorted body image and the inability to comprehend the seriousness of their condition (NIH).
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a serious emotional eating disorder that involves eating excessive amounts of food in a short period (binging) followed by guilt and shame leading to self-induced vomiting, extreme exercise, or laxative abuse (purging). Many refer to it as the binge and purge eating disorder (Texas Center for Discovery).
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Currently one of the most prevalent eating disorders in the United States, Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by recurring episodes of consuming large quantities of food over a short period of time—to the point of discomfort or feeling ill. Binge Eating Disorder occurs three times as frequently as anorexia and bulimia combined, and it is more common than autism, Alzheimer’s and breast cancer (Texas Center for Discovery).
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Individuals with ARFID limit the volume and/or variety of foods they consume...selective eating is motivated by a lack of interest in eating or food, sensory sensitivity (e.g., strong reactions to taste, texture, smell of foods), and/or a fear of aversive consequences (e.g., of choking or vomiting) (NEDA).
Other/Non-Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)
Individuals who did not meet strict diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder but still had a significant eating disorder. Research into the severity of OSFED shows that the disorder is just as severe as other eating disorders.