Anorexia and bulimia are the most well-known types of eating disorders, however there are many more including binge eating and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Eating disorders affect a person’s physical, emotional, psychological, and even social well being and can co-occur with other issues such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. Luckily, with intensive treatment in a specialized center, eating disorders can be successfully treated and a person can develop a healthy relationship with food.
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Understanding Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are behavioral conditions that involve severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors. They are associated with distressing thoughts and emotions as well. Eating disorders can vary and conditions affect a person’s physical, mental, and social functioning. Different types of eating disorders exist and have distinct symptoms. They all involve an extreme focus on issues related to food and eating and some on weight as well.
They are complex mental health conditions that are about much more than just food. Often, eating disorders require medical and psychological intervention to overcome. Some may become obsessed or fixated with weight loss, body weight, and controlling their food intake. They are caused by a complex interaction of biological, genetic, behavioral, psychological, and social factors, often appearing during teen years or young adulthood but can develop at any stage in life.
Eating disorders often occur due to underlying causes, including mental health disorders, low self-esteem, substance abuse, or due to trauma or neglect. When they occur with other mental health disorders, they are referred to as co-occurring disorders. Treatment requires that all disorders be addressed simultaneously for successful recovery of eating disorders. There are several types of eating disorders with the most common being anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (AFRID), and other specified feed or eating disorders (OSFED).
Anorexia Nervosa
Often simply called anorexia, this eating disorder is characterized by limiting the number of calories and types of food they eat. The person may eventually lose weight or be unable to maintain a healthy weight based on their height, age, stature, and physical health. They may also exercise compulsively and/or purge the food they eat through self-induced vomiting and/or misuse laxatives. A person with this type of eating disorder may have a distorted self-image of their body and have an intense fear of gaining weight. Anorexia can be serious, leading to malnourishment, dangerous health problems, and even death.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is a type of eating disorder that causes the person to eat large amounts of food at a time (binge) and then get rid of it (purge) by vomiting on purpose or taking laxatives. Some other characteristics of bulimia include misuse of diuretic or diet pills, eating very little or not at all, excessive exercise, and hiding food to binge and purge later. Usually, people with bulimia have a normal, healthy weight however they struggle with self-esteem linked to their body image.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a newer diagnostic type of eating disorder but it is the second most common type. People with this type of eating disorder regularly eat much more food than most people. They often eat quickly, eat when stressed out or upset, eat past being uncomfortably full, eat alone, and feel like they cannot stop eating. These behaviors may result in feelings of guilt and shame. Binge eating disorder is often a way of dealing with or avoiding difficult emotions and often the person is unaware of what’s driving them to overeat. They may often have negative feelings towards their weight, have large weight swings, and may feel depressed. BED is diagnosed when an individual engages in binge eating on average at least 1 day a week for 3 months.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)
This type of eating disorder was developed to include individuals who do not meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder, but still had a significant eating disorder. It is the most common type of eating disorder with approximately 3.8% of women and 1.6% of men being diagnosed at some point in their lives. People experiencing OSFED are likely to be engaging in disordered eating, are unhappy with their body or weight, and may fear gaining weight. There are many symptoms associated with OSFED including:
- Increased anxiety or irritability around meal times
- Feelings of shame, guilt, and disgust, especially after eating
- Preoccupation with eating, dieting, exercise, and body image
- Depression, anxiety, suicidality, and low self-esteem
- Dieting behavior, including counting calories and avoiding food groups
- Hiding or hoarding food
- Self-induced vomiting
- Use of laxatives, diuretics, or appetite suppressants
- Socially withdrawn or not engaging in activities once enjoyed
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Individuals with ARFID limit the volume and/or variety of foods they consume, but unlike other types of eating disorders, food avoidance or restriction is not related to body image or weight gain. Instead, ARFID is motivated by lack of interest in food or eating, a fear of choking or vomiting, or sensory sensitivity to foods with unwanted color, taste, texture or smell. Although some people go through phases of picky or selective eating, a person with ARFID’s diet is so selective that it leads to medical, nutritional, and/or psychosocial problems. It can co-occur with anxiety disorders, autism, ADHD, and a range of medical conditions.
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The Importance of Early Intervention
Regardless of type of eating disorder, early intervention is key for successful, long-term recovery. Early identification and treatment of an eating disorder can speed up recovery and prevent long-term physical complications such as malnourishment, dental issues, menstrual irregularities, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety, and even organ failure. Studies have shown that early intervention improves the likelihood of staying eating disorder free and reduces the need for high levels of care, such as impatient treatment. Individuals who get treatment early on in the disorder can receive outpatient treatment which is more affordable and flexible.
How Moment of Clarity Can Help
Moment of Clarity is a mental health treatment facility in Southern California specializing in several mental health disorders, including eating disorders. We provide several outpatient mental health outpatient options including partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). Every treatment is tailored to individual needs and includes various evidence-based therapies to treat eating disorders including group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and trauma informed care.
Outpatient treatment at Moment of Clarity will allow you to live at home with the support of loved ones while you receive treatment. Patients who choose outpatient treatment may be able to continue going to work or school and take care of personal responsibilities. Our comprehensive programs will integrate several types of treatment to help you develop a healthy relationship with food and address any co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Getting Help for Eating Disorders
Having an unhealthy relationship with food can be challenging and affect your overall well being. However, treatments for eating disorders are effective and you can overcome these obstacles with the right program. If you have noticed you are becoming obsessed with food, weight, and your body image, or are hiding food, binging and engaging in self-induced vomiting, you may be struggling with an eating disorder. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help you recover more quickly and develop long-term healthy relationships with food.
Moment of Clarity is available 24 hours a day to take your call and help you take the first steps towards recovery. Please give us a call today at (949)625-0564 to speak to an intake specialist to learn more about our programs or to get started with the admissions process.
