What Is An Eating Disorder?
Rural Minds Mental Health Condition Fact Sheets
Eating Disorders
What Is An Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect how you think about food, your body, and yourself – and they can harm your physical health. They are not a personal failure. Eating disorders are treatable, and with the right support, recovery is possible.
What ARe The Symptoms of An Eating Disorder?
There are many types of eating disorders and signs and symptoms can look different in different people. For example, weight changes are not always visible and people in larger bodies can still have an eating disorder.
Examples of three common types of eating disorders include:
Anorexia nervosa – People with this serious eating disorder eat very little, fear gaining weight, and often see their bodies differently than they really are.
Binge-eating disorder – People with this eating disorder regularly eat large amounts of food in a short time and feel upset or guilty afterward.
Bulimia nervosa – People with this eating disorder will binge eat, and then vomit, use laxatives, or exercise excessively to avoid weight gain.
Eating disorder symptoms may include:
Emotional and mental signs:
Worrying constantly about food, calories, and dieting.
Feeling guilty, ashamed, or anxious about eating.
Behavioral signs:
Skipping meals or eating very little.
Eating large amounts of food in a short time.
Exercising in extreme or unhealthy ways.
Avoiding eating meals with friends or family.
Physical signs:
Losing or gaining a lot of weight.
Feeling weak, tired, and dizzy.
How Common Are Eating Disorders?
People of all ages, genders, races, and backgrounds can experience eating disorders.
Approximately 9% of people in the U.S. – 28.8 million people – will have an eating disorder during their lifetime.¹
Though eating disorders are commonly associated with women, men account for up to 25% of people with eating disorders.²
More than 70% of people with an eating disorder also have other mental health conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorder.²,³
Eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates among mental illnesses, with more than 10,000 deaths each year in the U.S. a direct result of an eating disorder.²
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death of people with eating disorders.⁴
How Are Eating Disorders Diagnosed?
Eating disorders are diagnosed by your healthcare provider or mental health professional.
Because eating disorders can affect nearly every system in the body, a physical exam and lab tests are an important part of the diagnosis. In addition, a healthcare professional will ask questions about your thoughts, feelings, and eating habits and behaviors.⁵
How Are Eating Disorders Treated?
The treatment depends on the specific type of eating disorder and typically involves a team-based approach. Eating disorder treatments can include:⁶
Behavioral therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or family-based treatment.
Medical care to monitor physical health.
Nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian experienced in eating disorders.
Medication, when appropriate, to treat co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
Levels of care can vary from outpatient treatment to inpatient or residential programs, depending on the severity of symptoms.
Not Sure If You or A Loved One May Have An Eating Disorder?
A free, confidential screening tool is available through Mental Health America.
Do You Have Additional QUestions or Concerns?
Call the ANAD Eating Disorders Helpline: 888-375-7767, Monday – Friday, 10 am – 10 pm EST.
For More Information About Eating Disorders:
If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, dial 988 for 24/7 support.
If this is a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
References:
National Eating Disorders Association. General Eating Disorder Statistics.
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Eating Disorder Statistics.
American Psychiatric Association. Eating Disorders.
Goldstein, A., Gvion, Y. 2019. Socio-demographic and psychological risk factors for suicidal behavior among individuals with anorexia and bulimia nervosa: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 245, 1149–1167.
Mayo Clinic. Eating Disorders.
Mayo Clinic. Eating disorder treatment: Know your options.