What are they?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, eating disorders (EDs) are defined as illnesses in which people experience severe disturbances in their eating behaviors with associated thoughts and emotions. Eating disorders can affect anyone, no matter what race, gender, ethnicity, age, religion, body shape, weight, or sexual orientation you are.
How does society define EDs?
With that said, people usually associate eating disorders with extreme cases such as anorexia or binge eating disorder. What isn’t talked about or generally well known are other eating disorders that don’t have obvious signs.
What people usually don't know:
In fact, many don’t know that there are actually several different types of eating disorders that affect at least 9% of the population worldwide, or more close to home- 28.8 million Americans.
So you may be wondering, “what other types of eating disorders could there possibly be?”. Well, there are currently 10 officially and one unofficially recognized eating disorders as reported by the National Eating Disorders Association. Below are brief defining characteristics for each, with an associated article for more information on the ED:
1. Anorexia nervosa -
People with anorexia primarily restrict the number of calories and the types of foods they eat. Some may also exercise compulsively, eject their food through vomiting and laxatives, and/or binge eat.
2. Binge eating disorder -
People with this disorder have recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (referred to as a binge) and feeling as if there’s no control during the binge.
3. Bulimia nervosa -
This is characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by behaviors such as self-induced vomiting in order to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.
4. Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) - https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/osfed
OSFED was coined to categorize individuals who don’t meet strict criteria for anorexia or bulimia but do have an eating disorder.
Some examples of OSFED are either:
Atypical anorexia nervosa - all criteria met, but do not experience significant weight loss, the individual is within or above the normal range in weight.
Purging disorder - recurrent purging behavior to influence weight or shape in the absence of binge eating.
5. Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) - https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/arfid
Used to be referred to as “selective eating disorder,” this one involves limitations in the amount and/or types of food consumed, but there is no distress about any body shape or size. However, the consequences are problems in growth, development, and body function due to the lack of consumption of calories needed.
6. Pica -
Involves eating items that are not generally thought of as food such as dirt, hair, glue, and clay.
7. Rumination Disorder -
Individuals repeatedly and unintentionally spit up undigested or partially digested food from the stomach, rechew it, and then either re-swallow it or spit it out.
8. Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder - https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/unspecified-feeding-or-eating-disorder
UFED do not meet the full criteria for any of the disorders in the feeding and eating disorders but present symptoms characterized as such that would cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functions.
9. Laxative Abuse -
People with this disorder want to feel “thin” or “empty” and so to eliminate those unwanted calories, the individual frequently repeats the use of laxatives, a very dangerous action that causes a series of health complications and sometimes life-threatening conditions.
10. Compulsive Exercise - https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/general-information/compulsive-exercise
Individuals with this disorder have an extreme obsession over-exercising, despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury, and thus interfering with areas of one’s life. Not being able to exercise causes the individual to experience intense anxiety, depression, irritability, feelings of guilt, and or distress. Individuals may use exercise as permission to eat and as a means of purging.
Although it’s not officially recognized, awareness of this disorder is increasing over the years. This disordered eating behavior is characterized by Individuals being so fixated on proper or “healthy” eating that they damage their own well-being since they can only eat a narrow group of foods that are deemed “healthy” or “pure” and in turn have high levels of distress when safe or healthy foods aren’t available.
Red Flags for EDs
Here are some warning signs of EDs to look out for:
Primary concerns over weight loss, dieting, and control of foods
Intentionally eating less than 1500 calories a day
Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, nutrients
Appears uncomfortable eating around others
Withdrawal from friends, avoidance of social situations involving food
Sleep problems
Feeling cold all the time
Noticeable fluctuations in weight
Dizziness
It’s important to remember that there are several warning signs for different EDs, but if you or someone you know demonstrate any of these symptoms it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible.
What does treatment look like for EDs?
The first step to getting treatment for an eating disorder is to get a diagnosis. After that, there is no specific route since there are different types of eating disorders, but according to the National Eating Disorders Association and the Mayo Clinic, it usually includes seeing:
A doctor for medical monitoring, sometimes medications, and addressing other health problems caused by an eating disorder.
A therapist for psychological therapy (for emotional or other mental issues)
A dietician for education on nutrition and meal planning.
Family or friends for support.
A key factor for successful treatment is having all these areas of support in constant communication or being aware of all levels of your progress in order to keep track of it and figuring out if there’s anything that can be done to improve the treatment. Treatment helps those who are affected by managing symptoms to have a healthy weight, and maintain physical and mental health.
Overcoming an eating disorder can be an overwhelming and difficult process. That’s why it’s important to increase one’s awareness about them and determine whether you or someone you know needs help. The earlier an eating disorder is detected, the chances of recovery increases. It’s important to remember that no one is ever alone and there are people and resources available to help.
If you have concerns of a possible eating disorder for you or someone you know, explore the HelpGuide and National Eating Disorder Association listed down below as resources on how to take steps to help yourself or someone you care about.
Resources:
To learn more about the different warning signs to look out for or more information on any of these eating disorders check out:
To learn more about how to approach someone that you suspect has an ED, check out:
To learn more about steps you can take to seek help if you believe you have an ED, check out:
On-campus Resources:
If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, please contact:
University Counseling Center
607-777-2772
LN-1202
Decker Student Health Services Center
607-777-2221
Near Newing College
The University Eating Awareness Steering Committee
607-777-6553
Contact: Sarah Thompson, Health and Wellness
Other resources for any questions, concerns, or seek guidance in nutrition/fitness:
Nutritional Services
Registered Dieticians
Alexa Schmidt
Room 21, West Gym
(607)- 777-2716
Julia Lee
Rockefeller Center 265
(607)-777-5412
Wellness Office and Fitspace
607-777-2595
East Gym-136
References:
About the Author: Joshuani Rios Castillo
Joshi is a senior Biology major and Geography minor. She joined REACH to learn more about important topics that have an impact on her peers in an effort to be there for them. Her overall goal in life is to join the medical field and help those who are denied access to healthcare because of factors such as immigration status, income, or location. Being from NYC, Joshi enjoys exploring different types of fun restaurants and trying new foods.
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