Eating Disorder Types & Definitions
Understanding different types of eating disorders is the first step toward recognizing symptoms and seeking appropriate treatment. As an eating disorder specialist in Bloomington, Indiana, I provide comprehensive therapy for all types of eating disorders described below.
Major Eating Disorder Classifications
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by restrictive daily food intake and excessive weight loss below an optimal level for one’s height. This serious mental health condition involves:
- Severe restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight
- Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
- Distorted body image or denial of the seriousness of low body weight
- In females, absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder, making early intervention with an eating disorder therapist crucial for recovery.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, or excessive exercise.
Characteristics include:
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating (eating large amounts of food in short periods)
- Recurrent compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain
- Self-evaluation heavily influenced by body shape and weight
- Episodes occurring at least once weekly for three months
- Normal weight range (making detection more difficult)
Many people with bulimia nervosa maintain a normal weight, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder involves recurrent episodes of eating very large amounts of food without using compensatory behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise. This is the most common eating disorder in the United States.
Characteristics include:
- Eating large amounts of food in discrete periods with feelings of loss of control
- Binge episodes associated with eating rapidly, eating until uncomfortably full, or eating alone due to embarrassment
- Significant distress about binge eating behavior
- Episodes occurring at least once weekly for three months
- No regular compensatory behaviors
OSFED
Formerly called “Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified” (EDNOS), OSFED includes eating disorders that don’t fully meet criteria for other diagnoses but are equally serious and require treatment.
Examples include:
- Atypical anorexia nervosa (all symptoms except low weight)
- Bulimia nervosa with less frequent episodes
- Binge eating disorder with less frequent episodes
- Purging disorder (purging without binge episodes)
- Night eating syndrome
ARFID
ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) involves limited food intake that results in significant weight loss, nutritional deficiency, or psychosocial impairment. Unlike anorexia, ARFID is not driven by body image concerns.
Common presentations include:
- Extreme food selectivity or sensitivity
- Lack of interest in food
- Sensory aversions to textures, smells, or tastes
- Fear of adverse consequences from eating (choking, vomiting)
Additional Eating-Related Concerns
Orthorexia
While not officially recognized in diagnostic manuals, orthorexia involves an obsession with eating foods perceived as healthy. This can include:
- Rigid rules about “clean” or “pure” foods
- Elimination of entire food groups
- Significant distress when healthy foods aren’t available
- Social isolation due to food restrictions
Disordered Eating
Disordered eating refers to irregular eating patterns that may not meet full criteria for an eating disorder but still cause distress and health concerns:
- Chronic dieting or restriction
- Frequent weight fluctuations
- Guilt and anxiety around food choices
- Using food to cope with emotions
- Irregular eating patterns
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Often co-occurring with eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder involves an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in appearance:
- Preoccupation with imagined or slight defects in appearance
- Repetitive behaviors like mirror checking or excessive grooming
- Significant distress or impairment in daily functioning
Getting help for eating disorders in Bloomington, Indiana
I work with adults and adolescents (ages 15+) throughout Indiana, including many Indiana University students. I offer both in-person sessions in Bloomington and virtual therapy for eating disorder recovery.