You may have heard of the many references to eating disorders, primarily anorexia. There is the stereotypical image of someone who is very slim and constantly throwing up. However, there Is much more to eating disorders than purging food. Most eating disorders have to do with psychology rather than food.
Eating disorders appear to run rampant in western society compared to eastern counterparts. In America, approximately 20 million women and 10 million men will develop an eating disorder at some point in their life.
There are different types of eating disorders. We will describe the six most common types of eating disorders.
What Is An Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are mental health conditions that cause unhealthy eating habits. These psychological conditions usually start with an obsession with food, body weight, or body shape. Eating disorders can be deadly if they are untreated.
Eating disorders can manifest different symptoms. Most eating disorder symptoms include (but aren’t limited to):
- Severe Food Restriction
- Food Binges
- Purging Behaviors, I.e., throwing up, over-exercising, laxative use
An eating disorder can affect anyone. However, they are typically common in young women.
What Causes Eating Disorders?
Multiple factors cause eating disorders. These factors include genetics, brain biology, personality, and cultural norms.
Cultural norms can play a vital role in developing an eating disorder. Some eating disorders are virtually nonexistent in cultures that have not been shown western preferences for being thin.
What Are the Types of Eating Disorders?
1. Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is probably the most referenced eating disorder. People who suffer from anorexia can limit their food intake or practice purging behaviors. They often have a fear of gaining weight even if they are underweight.
Anorexia often develops during young adulthood. It can affect anyone but usually affects more women than men.
These individuals constantly monitor their weight and limit certain foods. In addition, they may practice extreme calorie restrictions.
What Are Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa? 
- They may be vastly underweight when compared to individuals of similar age and height.
- Restricts food Intake
- Extreme fear of gaining weight
- Constantly tries to avoid gaining weight despite being underweight
- Denial of being extremely underweight
Anorexia is not kind to the body. People with anorexia nervosa may experience thinning bones, brittle hair and nails, and the growth of fine hair that covers the body. In the worst cases, anorexia nervosa can lead to multiple organs failing and death.
2. Bulimia Nervosa
People with bulimia nervosa typically eat large amounts of food in short periods. As a result, they often worry about gaining weight despite being at a normal weight. People with bulimia nervosa eat until they are painfully full during binge eating.
During this time, the person feels that they cannot stop eating or control how much they are eating.
Purging behaviors can include:
- Vomiting
- Fasting
- Laxatives
- Diuretics
- Enemas
- Over-exercising
What Are Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa?
- Repeated binge eating while feeling like there is no control
- Repeated purging activity to not gain weight
- Self-esteem is overly connected to body weight
- Fear of gaining weight even with an average body weight
3. Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is one of the most common eating disorders in America. Individuals with binge eating disorders usually eat a lot of food in a short period of time. However, they do not purge their food.
People with binge eating disorders are often overweight or obese. This puts them at risk for heart disease and diabetes.
What Are Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder?
- Eating a lot of food in a short period even if one isn’t hungry
- Feeling no sense of control when binge eating
- Feeling stress or shame when thinking about binge eating
- No purging activity
4. Pica
Pica involves eating objects that are not considered food. People with Pica may crave non-food objects such as:
- ice,
- dirt
- soil
- chalk
- soap
- paper
- hair
- cloth
- Wool
- pebbles
- laundry detergent
- cornstarch
Pica affects pregnant women, children, and people with mental disabilities.
5. Rumination Disorder
People with rumination disorder tend to vomit food they have swallowed, then chew it again and eat it or spit it out. Rumination disorder can affect people in all stages of life. However, adults with this disorder can restrict the amount of food they eat and become underweight.
6. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder is when someone undereats due to a lack of interest in food or disdain for how some foods look, smell or taste.
What Are Symptoms of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder? 
- When eating habits hinder social activities, like eating with others.
- Deficient in nutrition
- Avoids foods to the point where the individual isn’t eating enough calories
ARFID is more extreme than picky eating. These individuals’ disdain for certain foods impedes their lives to the point where they are underweight for their age and height.
Bottom Line
There are more eating disorders out there than the ones listed. However, these are some of the most common eating disorders. Eating disorders are mental health conditions. If left untreated, eating disorders can damage the body and the mind. The good news is, eating disorders can be treated.
Resources
6 Common Types of Eating Disorders (and Their Symptoms) (healthline.com)
