Overview
Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding and eating disorders. They affect people of every age, gender, body size, and background. Eating disorders are medical conditions with serious physical and psychological consequences, and they carry one of the higher mortality rates among mental health conditions. Early intervention substantially improves outcomes, and recovery is possible. Treatment usually involves a team that addresses both medical and psychological needs.
Common signs and symptoms
These are commonly reported experiences. Having some of them does not mean you have this condition, and not having them does not mean you do not.
- Preoccupation with food, weight, or body shape
- Restricting food, skipping meals, or avoiding eating in front of others
- Bingeing episodes, sometimes followed by vomiting, laxatives, or exercise
- Feeling out of control around food
- Withdrawing from social situations involving food
- Physical changes such as weight fluctuation, dizziness, or digestive problems
When professional evaluation may help
- Eating behavior is interfering with daily life
- You are avoiding meals with others or hiding eating habits
- You have noticed fainting, dizziness, or other physical symptoms
- You are using vomiting, laxatives, or compulsive exercise to compensate
- There are any thoughts of self-harm or suicide — seek help immediately
General treatment approaches
Not every approach is appropriate for every person. Treatment decisions should be individualized and made with a qualified professional.
- Medical evaluation
- Eating disorders carry physical risks, so a medical evaluation with a clinician experienced in eating disorders is usually part of treatment.
- Psychotherapy
- Family-based treatment for adolescents, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other specialized approaches are used depending on age and diagnosis.
- Nutritional support
- A registered dietitian with eating disorder experience can help restore nutrition and rebuild a normal relationship with food.
- Higher levels of care
- Intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, or inpatient programs may be recommended based on medical stability and symptom severity.
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