Eating disorders affect people from all walks of life—they don’t discriminate based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, or body type. These disorders change how people view food and their bodies, often leading to unhealthy eating habits. Treating eating disorders is crucial for mental health, involving understanding and managing a range of symptoms. Each eating disorder is unique, and frequently someone may not fit neatly into categories like anorexia or bulimia. Managing the symptoms and the underlying cause of these disorders is crucial for our wellbeing, especially since eating disorders can be so disruptive to our daily functioning.
At EXIS we help adults of all ages, and adolescents over the age of 14 dealing with the thoughts, the feelings and the behaviors associated with eating disorders. We offer evidence-based treatments tailored to each person’s symptoms and goals. Our team of experts works together to address the physical, emotional, and social impact of these disorders. Our commitment is to support individuals with eating disorders with professionalism and expertise. Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive treatment, addressing all aspects—physical, psychological, and social—of these challenging conditions.
Types of Eating Disorders
Nearly one in ten people in the U.S. will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. The more commonly known eating disorders include:
- Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexia nervosa, commonly known as “anorexia,” is a severe and potentially fatal eating disorder characterized by an intense focus on body size, weight, and shape. Typical behaviors include restricting significantly food intake, leading to nutrient deficiencies and often distorted body image, which may potentially impact every organ system. It is important to note that recovery from anorexia is possible through treatment.
- Bulimia nervosa: Bulimia nervosa, often referred to as “bulimia,” involves cycles of binge eating (consuming large quantities of food quickly) followed by purging (eliminating calories) as a means to manage weight. This eating disorder is typically accompanied by other mental health challenges and can be highly debilitating.
- Binge Eating Disorder: Individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) frequently consume more food than others typically would in a similar period. They often struggle to halt the binge and experience emotional (guilt, sadness, low self-worth) or physical distress afterward. While occasional overeating is common, such as indulging excessively in something enjoyable, for some, persistent episodes of uncontrollable overeating mark the transition into BED. Unlike bulimia nervosa, individuals with BED do not regularly engage in compensatory behaviors such as purging or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain.
Additional eating disorders/types of disordered eating include:
- Avoidant/resistant food intake disorder (ARFID): Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterized by an individual’s avoidance of certain foods, restriction of food intake, or complete avoidance of eating. It goes beyond mere picky eating and can result in a chronic inability to fulfill nutritional requirements.
- Atypical anorexia: Atypical anorexia nervosa, sometimes called “Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder” (OSFED) with atypical anorexia presentation, is a type of eating disorder where individuals show many signs of anorexia nervosa but their weight doesn’t drop low enough to meet the typical diagnostic criteria. This means they might restrict food intake, fear gaining weight intensely, or have a distorted body image similar to anorexia nervosa, but their weight might be within or even above a normal range. Despite not being severely underweight, people with atypical anorexia can still face significant physical and emotional challenges due to their eating behaviors
- Diabulimia: Diabulimia is a term used outside of medical settings to describe a serious eating disorder affecting individuals with type 1 diabetes. It involves purposefully manipulating insulin doses to manage weight or body shape, often leading to high blood sugar levels. This behavior can result in severe health complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis and organ damage. Treatment usually involves a comprehensive approach that addresses both the eating disorder and diabetes management to promote overall health and well-being.
- Orthorexia: Orthorexia nervosa is an obsession with eating foods believed to be healthy, to the point where it disrupts daily life and relationships. Unlike typical eating disorders focused on weight or quantity of food, orthorexia fixates on the quality and purity of food choices. Those affected spend excessive time planning and preparing meals according to strict dietary rules, avoiding foods perceived as unhealthy even at the cost of social isolation or anxiety. While not officially recognized in diagnostic manuals, orthorexia highlights a problematic relationship with food that may require therapy to promote a balanced approach to nutrition and well-being.
