In particular, levels of the brain messengers serotonin and dopamine may be factors 5 , 6. Summary Eating disorders may be caused by several factors.
These include genetics, brain biology, personality traits, and cultural ideals. Anorexia nervosa is likely the most well-known eating disorder. It generally develops during adolescence or young adulthood and tends to affect more women than men 7. They tend to constantly monitor their weight, avoid eating certain types of foods, and severely restrict their calories.
Common symptoms of anorexia nervosa include 8 :. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms are also often present. For instance, many people with anorexia are often preoccupied with constant thoughts about food, and some may obsessively collect recipes or hoard food. Such individuals may also have difficulty eating in public and exhibit a strong desire to control their environment, limiting their ability to be spontaneous. Anorexia is officially categorized into two subtypes — the restricting type and the binge eating and purging type 8.
Individuals with the restricting type lose weight solely through dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise. Individuals with the binge eating and purging type may binge on large amounts of food or eat very little. In both cases, after they eat, they purge using activities like vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, or exercising excessively.
Anorexia can be very damaging to the body. Over time, individuals living with it may experience the thinning of their bones, infertility, brittle hair and nails, and the growth of a layer of fine hair all over their body 9. Summary People with anorexia nervosa may limit their food intake or compensate for it through various purging behaviors.
They have an intense fear of gaining weight, even when severely underweight. Bulimia nervosa is another well-known eating disorder.
Like anorexia, bulimia tends to develop during adolescence and early adulthood and appears to be less common among men than women 7. Each binge eating episode usually continues until the person becomes painfully full. During a binge, the person usually feels that they cannot stop eating or control how much they are eating. Binges can happen with any type of food but most commonly occur with foods the individual would normally avoid.
Individuals with bulimia then attempt to purge to compensate for the calories consumed and relieve gut discomfort. Common purging behaviors include forced vomiting, fasting, laxatives, diuretics, enemas, and excessive exercise. Symptoms may appear very similar to those of the binge eating or purging subtypes of anorexia nervosa. However, individuals with bulimia usually maintain a relatively normal weight, rather than becoming underweight.
Common symptoms of bulimia nervosa include 8 :. Side effects of bulimia may include an inflamed and sore throat, swollen salivary glands, worn tooth enamel, tooth decay, acid reflux, irritation of the gut, severe dehydration, and hormonal disturbances 9.
In severe cases, bulimia can also create an imbalance in levels of electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. This can cause a stroke or heart attack. Summary People with bulimia nervosa eat large amounts of food in short periods of time, then purge. They fear gaining weight despite being at a normal weight. Binge eating disorder is believed to be one of the most common eating disorders, especially in the United States Individuals with this disorder have symptoms similar to those of bulimia or the binge eating subtype of anorexia.
For instance, they typically eat unusually large amounts of food in relatively short periods of time and feel a lack of control during binges. People with binge eating disorder do not restrict calories or use purging behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise, to compensate for their binges.
Common symptoms of binge eating disorder include 8 :. People with binge eating disorder often have overweight or obesity. This may increase their risk of medical complications linked to excess weight, such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes Summary People with binge eating disorder regularly and uncontrollably consume large amounts of food in short periods of time. Unlike people with other eating disorders, they do not purge. Ask questions any time you have them. Be patient with yourself.
There's so much to learn, and change happens a little at a time. Take care of yourself and be with people who support you. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Are Eating Disorders? People with anorexia: eat very little on purpose. This leads to a very low body weight. They fear looking fat. They see themselves as fat even when they are very thin.
People with bulimia: overeat and feel out of control to stop. This is called binge eating. They may make themselves throw up on purpose after they overeat. This is called purging. To prevent weight gain they may use laxatives, diuretics, weight loss pills, fast, or exercise a lot. Binge eating. People with binge eating disorder: overeat and feel out of control to stop. Eating disorders can cause serious problems throughout the body.
Anorexia can lead to health problems caused by undernutrition and low body weight, such as: low blood pressure slow or irregular heartbeats feeling tired, weak, dizzy, or faint constipation and bloating irregular periods weak bones delayed puberty and slow growth People with anorexia may find it hard to focus and have trouble remembering things.
Mood changes and emotional problems include: feeling alone, sad, or depressed anxiety and fears about gaining weight thoughts of hurting themselves Bulimia can lead to health problems caused by vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics, such as: low blood pressure irregular heartbeats feeling tired, weak, dizzy, or faint blood in vomit or stool poop tooth erosion and cavities swollen cheeks salivary glands People with bulimia may have these emotional problems: low self-esteem , anxiety, and depression alcohol or drug problems thoughts of hurting themselves Binge eating can lead to weight-related health problems, such as: diabetes high blood pressure high cholesterol and triglycerides fatty liver sleep apnea People with binge eating disorder may: have low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression feel alone, out of control, angry, or helpless have trouble coping with strong emotions or stressful events ARFID may lead to health problems that stem from poor nutrition, similar to anorexia.
Some things can increase a person's chance of having an eating disorder, such as: poor body image too much focus on weight or looks dieting at a young age playing sports that focus on weight gymnastics , ballet, ice skating, and wrestling having a family member with an eating disorder mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, or OCD How Are Eating Disorders Diagnosed?
How Are Eating Disorders Treated? Acta Psychiatr Scand. Mortality rates in patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders: a meta-analysis of 36 studies. Arch Gen Psychiatry. Eating disorders can occur in people of all ages and genders, across all socioeconomic groups, and from any cultural background.
We will continue throughout to update and improve the NEDC website and welcome any feedback you may have on the site. What is an Eating Disorder? The facts Eating disorders are serious, complex and potentially life-threatening mental illnesses. Long-term impacts Eating disorders are associated with serious medical and psychological complications.
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