Understanding Eating Disorders: A Guide to Diagnoses and Treatment
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that often involve disordered patterns of eating, obsessive thoughts about food, and a complicated relationship with body image. These conditions can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, body size, race, or background.
It’s important to understand that weight alone is not always an indicator of whether someone is struggling with an eating disorder. While many people associate eating disorders with being underweight, that is often not the case. This misconception can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment because a person’s physical appearance might not match society’s stereotypical image of an eating disorder.
Regardless of body size, anyone experiencing disordered eating deserves compassionate support and appropriate treatment.
Understanding the different types of eating disorders can help healthcare professionals provide the most effective care, while also helping individuals recognize potential warning signs in themselves or loved ones.
Types of Eating Disorders
There are several recognized eating disorder diagnoses, each with distinct symptoms and patterns of behavior.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is one of the most widely recognized eating disorders, though it is also frequently misunderstood. People with anorexia often experience an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of their body size or shape.
These fears can lead to severe restriction of food intake, which may result in malnutrition, medical complications, and significant psychological distress. You can learn more about the physical effects of being malnourished here.
There are two primary subtypes of anorexia nervosa:
Restricting Type
This involves severe restriction of calorie intake without episodes of binge eating or purging behaviors.
Binge-Eating / Purging Type
This subtype includes cycles of restrictive eating followed by binge eating and purging behaviors such as vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by behaviors intended to compensate for the food consumed.
These compensatory behaviors may include:
self-induced vomiting
laxative misuse
excessive exercise
fasting
Individuals experiencing bulimia often report feeling a loss of control during binge episodes, followed by intense feelings of guilt, shame, or distress.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States.
It involves recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food in a short period while experiencing a sense of loss of control. Unlike bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder does not involve compensatory behaviors such as purging.
People with binge eating disorder may:
eat rapidly
eat even when not physically hungry
feel distress, shame, or guilt after eating episodes
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) involves patterns of restrictive eating that go beyond typical picky eating.
People with ARFID may avoid foods due to:
sensory sensitivities (taste, smell, texture)
fear of choking or vomiting
lack of interest in food
Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not driven by body image concerns or a desire to lose weight. However, it can still lead to nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, and difficulty functioning in daily life.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
OSFED is a diagnosis given when someone experiences significant distress related to eating behaviors but does not meet the full criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.
This diagnosis recognizes that eating disorders do not always fit neatly into strict diagnostic categories. Individuals with OSFED may experience symptoms similar to other eating disorders, and the condition can still have serious psychological and physical consequences.
Orthorexia
Orthorexia is not currently recognized as an official diagnosis in the DSM-5, but the term is increasingly used to describe an obsessive focus on eating “healthy” or “clean” foods.
For some individuals, this fixation on food quality or dietary purity can become so rigid that it interferes with daily functioning, social relationships, and overall well-being.
Orthorexia may involve:
eliminating entire food groups
rigid food rules
anxiety around food preparation or ingredients
feelings of moral superiority or guilt related to food choices
Over time, these patterns can contribute to nutritional deficiencies and significant distress.
Eating Disorders Are Treatable
Eating disorders are serious conditions, but recovery is possible with the right support.
Treatment often involves working with an eating disorder therapist who specializes in helping individuals navigate the emotional, behavioral, and relational patterns connected to food and body image.
If you’re seeking eating disorder therapy in NYC, working with clinicians who understand the complexities of these conditions can make an important difference in recovery.
At Body Liberation Collective, our therapists specialize in helping adolescents and adults heal their relationship with food, body, and self through compassionate, trauma-informed care.
You can learn more about our approach to eating disorder therapy here.
FAQs About Eating Disorders
What is the most common eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States.
Can someone have an eating disorder without being underweight?
Yes. Many people with eating disorders exist in a wide range of body sizes.
When should someone seek eating disorder therapy?
If thoughts about food, weight, or body image are interfering with daily life, working with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders can help.
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
If you or someone you care about may be struggling with disordered eating, reaching out for support can be a powerful first step.
Our practice works with adolescents and adults navigating eating disorders, body image concerns, and the emotional challenges connected to food and self-worth.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our therapists and begin your path toward healing.