Eating disorders are conditions that cause obsessions with food, weight and body appearance, which negatively affect health and wellbeing, both mentally and physically. Eating disorders are not just about obsessing about food, they often crop up following a trauma (i.e., death of a loved one, abuse, etc.), as a way for the patient to seemingly take back control. There are several types of eating disorders, depending on the behaviors of the patient. Some of the main types of eating disorders are:
1. Anorexia nervosa
This condition occurs due to excessive dieting and exercise, which often leads to the point of starvation. This condition brings about extreme weight loss, thereby hampering the normal functioning of the human body.
2. Bulimia nervosa
People who tend to overeat are prone to develop this condition. This often happens due to the loss of control over eating habits. Thus, it results in gaining a massive amount of weight.
3. Binge eating disorder
Excessive periods of overeating and a feeling of losing control over oneself about their eating patterns cause this disorder.
4. Pica
This eating disorder occurs due to excessive intake of things that aren’t considered to be food, such as ice, soap, chalk, pebbles, laundry items, etc. It can occur in children and adults. This disorder can be fatal if patients consume poisonous substances.
5. Rumination disorder
This happens when a person vomits out previously eaten food and re-swallows or re-chews it again. If not taken care of, this condition can worsen and bring about weight loss in children.
6. Restrictive food intake disorder
Individuals develop this disorder due to the lack of interest in eating food. Though this condition starts from childhood, it is prevalent in adults too.
7. Other eating disorders
Other types of eating disorders include night eating syndrome, eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS), purging disorder, etc.
The various types of eating disorders can develop anytime and in any person. A few eating disorders can be severe and fatal over a long period of time. People can get help from their families, doctors, and professionals to overcome these conditions. Though these can be severe, one can cure eating disorders by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and good food habits.
