Eating disorders are serious medical conditions that can be treated. They often happen along with other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or substance use.
Eating disorders can affect anyone—boys, girls, men, and women. They most often start during the teen years or early adulthood, but they can also begin in childhood or later in life.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a serious disorder where a person limits how much they eat and becomes very afraid of gaining weight. It has one of the highest death rates of any mental health condition.
Common signs include:
- Eating very little food
- Fear of gaining weight
- Seeing their body in a distorted way
People with anorexia may:
- Weigh themselves often
- Carefully control portions
- Avoid certain foods
- Exercise a lot or use unhealthy ways to lose weight (like vomiting or using laxatives)
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia involves cycles of eating a large amount of food (binge eating) and then trying to “undo” it.
Common signs include:
- Eating a lot of food in a short time
- Feeling out of control while eating
- Trying to make up for eating by vomiting, fasting, or exercising too much
- Eating in secret
People with bulimia may be a healthy weight, or sometimes slightly above or below average.
Binge-Eating Disorder
This is the most common eating disorder in the U.S.
Common signs include:
- Eating large amounts of food even when not hungry
- Feeling out of control while eating
- Eating quickly or until uncomfortably full
- Eating alone due to embarrassment
- Feeling shame, guilt, or sadness after eating
People with binge-eating disorder do not try to “undo” eating with purging or extreme exercise.
Signs and Symptoms
Anorexia Nervosa
- Very low body weight
- Strong fear of gaining weight
- Strict food limits
- Poor body image
- Feeling cold or tired often
- Weakness or dizziness
- Thinning bones and muscle loss
Bulimia Nervosa
- Binge eating episodes
- Vomiting or misuse of laxatives
- Sore throat or swollen cheeks
- Tooth damage
- Dehydration
- Feeling tired or weak
- Worry about body shape and weight
Binge-Eating Disorder
- Eating large amounts of food often
- Eating when not hungry
- Feeling ashamed about eating habits
- Weight gain or health changes like high blood pressure
Health Complications
Eating disorders can cause serious health problems.
They may lead to:
- Heart problems
- Dehydration
- Hormone changes
- Digestive problems
- Weak bones
- Fatigue and dizziness
- Diabetes or high blood pressure (especially with binge eating disorder)
How Are Eating Disorders Treated?
Eating disorders can be treated, and recovery is possible.
Treatment often includes:
- Talk therapy (counseling)
- Medical care and check-ups
- Nutrition support
- Sometimes medication
- Family or group therapy
Treatment is different for each person based on their needs.
How Can I Talk to Someone I’m Worried About?
Pick a good time
Talk in a private, calm place without distractions.
Share your concerns
Talk about what you’ve noticed, without judging or blaming.
Be kind and supportive
Let them know you care and want to help, not criticize.
Be patient
They may not be ready to talk right away. That’s okay. Stay open and available.
Keep showing support
Remind them you care about them and are there when they’re ready.