Eating Disorders 101
In honor of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, we thought it’d be helpful to dive into the basics and educate (or reeducate!) ourselves. Some common questions for those who are new to the field and are looking to learn more include: What are eating disorders? What are the signs and symptoms? What should you do if you think someone you know is struggling with one?
To Start, What Are Eating Disorders?
According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), eating disorders“are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights.” The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) outlines diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder (BED), avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), pica, rumination disorder, other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), and unspecified feeding and eating disorder (UFED).
Eating disorders impact approximately 9 percent of the United States population – meaning that roughly 22.8 million Americans will have one in their lifetime (NEDA). The most commonly diagnosed ones are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, BED, ARFID, and OSFED. It is also important to note that eating disorders are likely to co-occur with other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and alcohol and substance use disorders.
What Are Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders?
The signs and symptoms depends on an individual’s diagnosis. With that thought in mind, let’s go over the signs and symptoms of the most commonly diagnosed eating disorders.
Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized by loss of weight and difficulty in maintaining an appropriate body weight for one’s height, age, and stature, in addition to distorted body image. Calorie and food restriction and excessive and compulsive exercise are often seen in those with AN (NEDA). Signs and symptoms include:
- Dramatic weight loss
- Intense fear of weight gain (even when underweight)
- Refusal to eat certain foods or food groups
- Maintains an excessive and rigid exercise regimen (despite illness, injury, weather, and fatigue)
- Social and emotional withdrawal
- Loss of menstrual period
- Feeling cold all of the time
Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by cycles of bingeing and compensating. Individuals often practice self-induced vomiting to “undo” or compensate for binge-eating (NEDA). Signs and symptoms include:
- Evidence of binge eating (i.e. disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time)
- Evidence of purging (i.e. many trips to the bathroom after eating or signs/smell of vomiting)
- Social withdrawal and extreme mood swings
- Steals or hoards food in strange places
- Fear of eating in public or with others
- Dental problems, such as erosion of enamel and discoloration of teeth
- Cuts and calluses across the top of finger joints (a result of induced vomiting)
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
BED is characterized by reoccurring binge-eating episodes and eating larger amounts of food in a period of time than most people would in a similar situation. Furthermore, it may include eating very fast, eating past the point of fullness, eating food when not hungry, and eating in private (NEDA). Signs and symptoms include:
- Difficulty with concentrating
- Weight fluctuation (both up and down)
- Social withdrawal
- Avoids eating in public or with others
- Eating or bingeing food in secret
- Stealing or hoarding food in strange places
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID is characterized by the limitation of the volume and variety of food consumed without fearing weight gain and experiencing distress surrounding body shape and size (NEDA). Signs and symptoms include:
- Lack of interest in eating
- Sensory sensitivity to food/will only eat certain textures of food
- Fear of aversive consequences (such as vomiting or choking)
- Weight loss or delay in growth
What To Do If You Think Someone Is Struggling With An Eating Disorder
The first thing to consider is your relationship with this person. Are they a family member, best friend, co-worker, or acquaintance? The degree of your relationship may dictate the support you can appropriately show them without overstepping boundaries. If the person you think his struggling is a stranger, it may not be your place to say anything (which can be extremely difficult).
No matter your relationship, showing compassion and support is one of the best things you can do. From there, it is up to you how to proceed. Examples of what not to say include commenting on their body (positive or negative); telling them how, what, or when they should eat; or making it about you.
Examples of what is appropriate include telling them, with love, that you are worried about them and letting them know you are there to help no matter what. You can encourage them to talk to someone they trust or schedule a visit with a medical provider. BALANCE also offers free virtual support groups anyone is welcome to attend.
Eating Disorder Recovery at BALANCE
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly-skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues. In addition to our full-time PHP Program and Weeknight Program, we offer other drop-in groups and services. Our admissions team is happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services as well as our in-network status with UnitedHealthcare as of March 7, 2025. Book a free consultation call with our team today.
Together, let’s bring more awareness and education to eating disorders.
References
“Eating Disorder Statistics.” National Eating Disorders Association, 12 Sept. 2024, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/.
Thomas, Stephanie. “Think Your Friend May Have an Eating Disorder? Here’s What You Can Do – Center for Change.” Center For Change, centerforchange.com/think-your-friend-may-have-an-eating-disorder-heres-what-you-can-do/. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
“What Are Eating Disorders?” National Eating Disorders Association, 12 Sept. 2024, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/what-are-eating-disorders/.
“What Are Eating Disorders?” Psychiatry.Org – What Are Eating Disorders?, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Tori Barkosky (she/her).
Tori is a recent graduate of St. Catherine University, having earned a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Nutrition Science. Tori is passionate about all things related to intuitive eating, HAES, mental health, body respect, eating disorders, and disordered eating. She also geeks out on neuroscience and loves studying the brain and its anatomy. Tori currently works as a Mental Health Practitioner at an eating disorder clinic. Outside work, she enjoys practicing yoga, exploring nature, and drinking coffee.
