Eating disorders
An eating disorder is a health condition where people use food to cope with their feelings and other situations. Unhealthy eating includes eating too much or very little or worrying about your weight and body constantly. An eating disorder can affect anyone, but teens between 13–17 are more likely to develop one. There are treatments to help people fully recover from an eating disorder.
Eating disorder types
The following are the most common type of eating disorders:
- Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED).
- Anorexia nervosa (controlling weight by not consuming enough food).
- Bulimia (losing control over the quantity of food consumption).
- Binge eating disorder or BED (consuming large potions until feeling uncomfortable.
Eating disorder symptoms
If you think you may have an unhealthy relationship with your food, you could have an eating disorder. The following are the symptoms:
- Spending unusually a significant amount of time. worrying about your body shape or weight.
- Avoiding socializing if food is involved.
- Consuming very little food.
- Exercising way too much.
- Having rigorous routines of food.
- Changes in moods like withdrawal, depression, or anxiousness.
- Feeling tired, dizzy, or cold.
- Tingling/numbness in your arms and legs.
- Fainting or heart racing.
- Digestive problems like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.
Eating disorder causes
The following are some major causes of an eating disorder:
- Family history of eating disorders.
- Been criticized for your eating habits.
- Worried about being weight or body shape.
- Anxiety, low self-esteem.
- Been sexually abused.
Eating disorder treatments
The treatment and recovery period will be different for everyone. A doctor might recommend you to an eating disorder specialist or a team of specialists to care for you. Your treatments depend on your type of eating disorder, but the treatments usually include talking therapy. You may also need regular health checkups to improve your physical health through treatments.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 23 JUNE 2022