Eating Disorders:

 According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) more than 20 million people in the US alone suffer from ED’s.  Most think of ED’s as underweight females but that is not the classification. 

ANAD defines eating disorders from the publication of “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (May 2013) of The American Psychiatric Association” in both genders as: 

  • Anorexia Nervosa: not getting enough calories which may lead to low body weight.

  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder: obsession with physical appearance and responds to slight blemishes as if it was extreme.

  • Bulimia Nervosa: recurrent episodes of binge eating along with compensatory behavior.

  • Binge Eating Disorder: eating large amounts of food, larger than the amount most would eat, and have a sense of lack of control or ability to stop.

  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: a person is unable to meet their nutritional or energy needs.

  • PICA: eating substances that have no nutritional value and for a long period. ie eating cotton.

  • Rumination Disorder: repeated regurgitation of food and may include re-chewing, re-swallowing or spitting out food.


Furthermore there is another ED that is being identified as Orthorexia Nervosa or “orthorexia”. Characterized by an excessive preoccupation with eating healthy food. It was introduced in 1997 and suggests that some dietary restrictions intended to promote health may lead to an ED. You may find signs of orthorexia quite common place in sports, advertisements and on social media. Which also makes identifying it challenging. Genders are also treated differently as well. Girls are often encouraged to slim down for activities (dance or gym) and Boys are asked to “bulk” up to make a certain qualification.

Behaviors to note for any ED is that this is mental health issue so it can be unique. If you think you or someone you know may have an ED make sure you see someone who is experienced in this field. Your general doctor may be focusing on a symptom but not educated in the ED diagnosis process. You can search and find large to small companies with therapists and counselors. There are hospital, partial hospital, out-patient and residential treatments. Some are in person and others virtual. Treatment is costly and most insurance covers treatment but there will be differences. Unfortunately this is also why many do not receive the treatment they may need.

Myths:

ED is not a dislike of food or based on the BMI of an person. There may be social isolation, chronic anxiety, obsessive compulsive behavior in or away from food, reduced interest in healthy activities, dehydration, constipation, sucidal risk, and in some cases may cause death. The sooner someone is treated though the more likely they can recover.