Eating disorders : Explained

Major eating disorders defined and explained:-

1. Anorexia Nervosa – A disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, leading to severe food restriction, excessive exercise, and sometimes purging behaviors. Individuals with anorexia often have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight even when underweight.

2. Bulimia Nervosa – Involves episodes of binge eating (consuming large amounts of food in a short period) followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use to prevent weight gain. People with bulimia often maintain a normal weight but struggle with feelings of shame and loss of control.

3. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) – Characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food, often rapidly and to the point of discomfort, without compensatory behaviors like purging. BED is associated with feelings of guilt, distress, and lack of control over eating.

4. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) – A condition where individuals avoid certain foods or restrict their intake due to sensory sensitivities, fear of choking, or lack of interest in eating, rather than concerns about weight or body image. ARFID can lead to nutritional deficiencies and significant weight loss.

5. Pica – The persistent eating of non-food substances such as dirt, chalk, paper, or soap for at least a month. Pica is often associated with nutrient deficiencies or developmental conditions like autism.

6. Rumination Disorder – Involves repeated regurgitation of food, which may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out. This is done voluntarily and is not due to a medical condition. It can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, and social difficulties.

7. Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) – A category for eating disorders that don’t fully meet the criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or BED but still cause significant distress and impairment. Examples include atypical anorexia (significant weight loss without being underweight) and purging disorder (purging without binge eating).

Recognizing the signs and seeking timely help can make a significant difference.

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