Understanding Eating Disorders

Understanding Eating Disorders
Approximately 8 million Americans suffer from eating disorder symptoms, and an astounding number of people have contact with someone struggling with an eating disorder. Although eating disorders can be persistent and life-threatening, they may not inherently be visible or apparent. People of all shapes and sizes can suffer; and shame, stigma, and secrecy can pose barriers to seeking treatment.
It’s important for individuals and their loved ones to understand the common eating disorders and their respective symptoms. Knowing this information can ensure proper medical care and appropriate mental health support.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa refers to a persistent pattern of restricting food intake to lose weight or maintain a lower body weight. Some people with anorexia engage in compulsive exercise, binging, and purging via various compensation methods.

Symptoms of anorexia may include:

  • chronic and extreme preoccupation with restricting food intake
  • significant weight loss or failing to gain weight
  • sense of self and self-worth influenced by body weight or shape
  • excessive exercise
  • frequently skipping meals, refusing to eat, or making excuses about eating
  • eating a limited range of safe foods
  • intense fear of gaining weight and distorted body image
  • persistent denial of the seriousness of symptoms and low weight

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa refers to patterns of binge eating followed by compensatory, purging behaviors. Purging can include self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, excessive exercise, and fasting.

Symptoms of bulimia may include:

  • eating large and excessive amounts of food in a discrete period of time
  • feeling a sense of losing control when eating
  • lying about food eaten or engaging in unusual eating patterns or food rituals
  • going to the bathroom during or just after meals (associated with self-induced vomiting)
  • fluctuating weight changes
  • patterns of restricting food, compulsive exercise, and/or laxative abuse
  • dental problems (associated with self-induced vomiting)

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder refers to recurrent episodes of binge eating without engaging in compensatory measures. Although this disorder tends to gain less attention than anorexia and bulimia, it’s the most common eating disorder in the United States.

Symptoms of binge eating disorder may include:

  • eating large amounts of food quickly and often secretively
  • feeling disgust or shame after binge eating
  • feeling a sense of losing control around certain kinds of foods or eating behaviors
  • eating when not hungry and/or eating in response to intense emotions
  • hiding food or lying about food intake

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (AFRID)

AFRID refers to patterns of rigid and selective eating. These symptoms generally emerge in individuals at much younger ages than other eating disorder symptoms, and they may be more common in boys than girls.

AFRID symptoms typically include:

  • severe picky eating that is not otherwise explained by other mental health or physical health concerns
  • lack of interest in food
  • strong negative aversions to certain textures, smells, or tastes
  • overall lack of interest in eating
  • fears of negative consequences associated with eating, including choking, vomiting, or experiencing physical pain
  • weight loss or difficulty gaining weight due to inadequate food consumption
  • symptoms are not associated with a disturbance in perception or experience of body

Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED)

OSFED refers to other clusters of symptoms that do not fully meet the criteria for the aforementioned eating disorders.
OSFED has several sub-types, including:
  • Atypical anorexia nervosa: Atypical anorexia includes all anorexia symptoms without having a low body weight.
  • Bulimia nervosa of low frequency or limited duration: This type of bulimia refers to patterns of binging and purging behaviors that occur fewer than once a week.
  • Binge eating disorder of low frequency or limited duration: This type of binge eating disorder refers to infrequent patterns of binge eating (fewer than once a week or for less than three months).
  • Purging disorder: Purging disorder refers to patterns of purging occurring in the absence of binge eating.
  • Night eating syndrome: Night eating syndrome refers to ongoing patterns of eating when asleep or only semi-awake.

Disordered Eating Vs Eating Disorders

Many people experience disordered eating, which refers to having disturbances around food and may include patterns of chronic dieting, compulsive eating, and a complicated relationship with body image.
Disordered eating is not always indicative of a clinical eating disorder. However, disordered eating can certainly evolve into an eating disorder, and it can also cause significant distress in your daily life.

Signs of disordered eating include:

  • obsessive thoughts about your body or eating habits
  • difficulties eating around others
  • developing rigid rules around eating or only eating preferred foods
  • experiencing body dissatisfaction that interferes with daily functioning
  • frequent crash diets and/or intense efforts to lose weight

Medical Concerns Associated With Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are among the most fatal mental disorders. Anorexia, in particular, has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric conditions.
Eating disorders can worsen progressively over time, causing both emotional and medical complications, including:
  • chronic inflammation
  • eroded tooth enamel
  • severe dehydration
  • electrolyte imbalances
  • gastrointestinal distress
  • cardiac distress and failure
  • metabolic and endocrine disruptions
  • menstrual/fertility irregularities
  • bone density insufficiencies
Eating disorders often co-occur with other mental health conditions, including anxiety disordersmood disorders, and substance use disorders. Similarly, many people with eating disorders also have a history of trauma, which can exacerbate symptoms and complicate recovery efforts.

Treatment for Eating Disorders in the Greater St. Louis Area

Eating disorders can be challenging and frightening for individuals and their loved ones. If you are struggling, you are not alone. Seeking professional support can be one of the most effective decisions you make to improve your well-being.
In my work with eating disorders, I support clients as they integrate recovery into their daily lives. Together, we will build a healthier relationship with food and your body image. You will also learn how to manage emotions, explore interpersonal skills, build strength in your identity or sense of self, and cope with distress in new ways.
My approach to treatment is multifaceted, pulling from attachment-based care, exposure-response prevention, DBT, CBT, somatic therapy, and mindfulness.
Please contact me today to schedule an initial consultation.