Eating disorders are biologically based mental illnesses that are influenced by an individual’s environment, society, and psychological makeup. An eating disorder is an illness that causes an individual to experience disturbances in their eating habits and negative food or body-related thoughts and feelings. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) recognizes five kinds of eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa. Anorexia is characterized by extended and extreme food restriction and malnourishment that causes dramatic and sustained weight loss. Anorexia often presents with a fear of gaining weight and other body image issues.

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). ARFID is a feeding or eating disorder typically driven by fear, a lack of interest in food, or an avoidance of certain foods, resulting in continued failure to meet an individual’s nutritional needs. ARFID often presents without a drive for thinness.

Binge Eating Disorder. BED is categorized by an excessive and uncontrollable consumption of food without the regular use of compensatory measures (purging, laxative use, etc.) to counteract the binge eating.

Bulimia Nervosa. For those with bulimia, food is consumed and then expelled by purging, laxatives, or other methods. Bulimia typically presents with a fear of weight gain and other body image concerns.

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED). OSFED is a feeding or eating disorder that results in significant distress or life disturbance, but does not meet the criteria for anorexia, ARFID, binge eating, or bulimia. One example of OSFED is someone who is experiencing most of the symptoms of anorexia but is maintaining a “normal” weight.

Why Are Eating Disorders Serious Illnesses?

Eating disorders are widespread, affecting over 30 million individuals in the United States alone. With so many people of all identities suffering from eating disorders, it’s clear that eating disorders are serious—and often severe. Eating disorders typically start with mild symptoms that worsen over time and may cause medical complications that can be life-threatening.

Common symptoms of an eating disorder include:

• • Dramatic weight gain or loss

• Change in eating patterns
• Obsessive negative thoughts about food, weight, or shape
• Excessive exercise
• Purging, restricting, or compulsive eating
• Isolation or changes in personality
• Medical complications

Eating disorders often cause medical complications that may become severe or even fatal. The illnesses may cause negative effects on dental health, especially for those suffering from bulimia or a purging disorder. For those purging, teeth often yellow and decay and gums may become damaged and sore.

Eating disorders often also result in nutritional deprivation which can cause hair loss, weakening bones, heart palpitations, and more. In severe cases, eating disorders may result in starvation, kidney failure, or even heart failure.

Eating Disorders Have a Serious Impact on Wellbeing

In addition to the negative physical effects, eating disorders often have detrimental effects on an individual’s mental health, wellbeing, and personal life. It is common for those that carry an eating disorder diagnosis to report that their eating disorder makes them feel like a different person. For those struggling with an eating disorder, it’s also common to see:

Isolation. Those with an eating disorder may find themselves isolating from those around them. This isolation could be due to the inability of those around them to understand the illness, but it may also present to maintain the eating disorder. In this case, people may find themselves isolating during meal times, avoiding social gatherings involving food, or ignoring those who are encouraging them to seek help.

Intimacy difficulties. It’s common for those living with an eating disorder to experience changes in physical appearance and physical health. These complications can cause a decrease in mood, energy, and libido. In addition, body dysmorphia may cause individuals to avoid intimate interactions and to disconnect with those around them.

Anxiety. A large number of individuals suffering from an eating disorder also experience anxiety. This anxiety may stem from biological traits that link the eating disorder with anxiety, or the eating disorder may be a coping mechanism for an individual’s anxiety.

Depression. In addition to anxiety, those with eating disorders may also suffer from depression. This depression can exist prior to the eating disorder or may occur with the illness. Weight gain, body image issues, or isolation cause by the eating disorder may lead certain people to become increasingly depressed as the eating disorder progresses. If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, you can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to talk, get resources, or get support.

Personality changes. It’s a widely used metaphor in the eating disorder world that a person’s eating disorder acts as an abusive partner. It tells individuals they are too x or too y, that they aren’t worthy of food, or that they don’t need to eat. Because of this, those suffering from an eating disorder may experience changes in their personality. They may find themselves more prone to rigid behavior, anxiety, obsessive tendencies, or they may start lashing out at those around them.

Eating Disorders Require Treatment

Eating disorders are severe and serious illnesses that require proper treatment. With prompt and specialized care, individuals can find recovery. If you are unsure of how to find treatment for yourself or a loved one, call The Emily Program at 1-888-364-5977 or complete our online form. We know recovery can be a scary process, which is why we stand by you every step of the way.