What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder is a psychological condition that manifests itself in unhealthy eating habits. The range of eating disorders fall on a continuum, from eating a healthy, balanced diet on one end, to life threatening choices on the other end. Eating disorders have serious emotional and physical effects. However, with proper treatment, control and recovery is possible.

Eating disorders involve disturbances in eating habits, such as:
not eating enough, repeatedly eating too much in a short period of time, or taking drastic measures to rid the body of calories consumed (purging through vomiting; overuse of diuretics or laxatives; excessive exercise; or fasting.)

You might think that your efforts to control your eating are a healthy way to achieve the body you want, but if your eating habits consume your thoughts and dictate your social activities, things have gotten out of control. What may have started as a plan to lose a few pounds or an effort to have healthier eating habits might have turned into an unhealthy lifestyle.

What are the types of eating disorders?

The types of eating disorders are:

• anorexia nervosa,
• bulimia nervosa,
• binge eating disorder, and
• eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS).

Although anorexia is highly publicized, bulimia is the most common type of eating disorder. (Binging is about as common as anorexia). Minor eating problems with eating habits can later develop into serious health issues.