Types Of Eating Disorders

When an individual eats extremely less or excessively more; is too much overweight or body shape conscious, he is said to suffer from an eating disorder. Generally eating disorders occur in young adulthood or adolescence but even children and seniors may be affected by this mysterious disorder. Female are affected more as compared to their male counterparts. There are many types of eating disorders. Following three types of eating disorders are considered to be the main types.

Anorexia Nervosa: In Greek anorexia means lack of appetite. It is an extremely hazardous and life-threatening disorder because an affected individual intentionally deprives himself of foods. In order to acquire thin body shape she/he can even lead to death by starvation. The sufferer loses extreme weight; at least 15% below her/his ideal body weight. Even after getting too thin they have the feeling that they are still fat. These sufferers are intensely preoccupied with food, exercise, body shape and size, and fear of becoming fat.

Bulimia Nervosa: It is a psychiatric disease in which the sufferer abnormally eats excessive foods very quickly and then immediately ‘purges’ i.e. gets rid of the eaten foods by means of vomiting, diuretics, use of laxatives or by taking medicines. The sufferer purges himself with a motive to avoid weight gain. In Bulimia Nervosa the affected person eats frequently and loses control over eating.

Binge Eating: It is a disorder which involves recurrent binge eating. The person who is affected by this disorder loses control over eating and eats voraciously until he/she starts feeling uncomfortable. They eat even though they may not be feeling hungry. If it is not treated then it leads to obesity and ultimately the sufferer gets several diseases like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease etc. They are also affected mentally because eating too much makes them feel guilty, ashamed and they become distressed and depressed.

There are people whose symptoms and behavior does not fall under anorexia, bulimia or binge eating but they suffer from an eating disorder. Such disorders are grouped under ‘Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified” (EDNOS). An example of EDNOS may include an individual who has normal weight, does not eat fats and purges occasionally. Such an individual cannot be considered bulimic because she/he does not binge. She/he is also not considered as anorexic because she/he does not under weigh significantly. Hence this person would be diagnosed with EDNOS.