Eating disorders affect millions of men and women of all different ages, races, sexual orientations, geographic locations, socioeconomic levels, and religions. These illnesses do not discriminate! Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of ALL mental health diagnoses, and numerous physical complications can develop from an eating disorder.

While the specific causes of eating disorders is not yet known, we do know that they are triggered by a unique combination of biological, psychological, social, and relational conditions. In fact, current research suggests that eating disorders are about 40% genetic and 60% environmental, meaning that a person is probably born with a genetic predisposition to develop the disorder, and some environmental stressor triggers this genetic tendency. Families are not to blame for these illnesses, but they are key components in effectively treating these deadly illnesses.

Below is general information about different types of eating disorders, other mental health issues associated with eating disorders, common personality characteristics of people with eating disorders, and physical complications associated with eating disorders. If you suspect that you or a loved one has an eating disorder, contact an eating disorder professional right away. These illnesses are real and they can be treated!

Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa: This diagnosis is defined by (1) a refusal to maintain body weight at or above 85% of the ideal body weight based on a person’s age and height (i.e., BMI score); (2) an intense fear of gaining weight or being fat; (3) disturbed body image; and (4) absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles (for women). People who meet this criteria may either restrict by not consuming many calories each day, or they may binge and purge during the current episode of anorexia.

Bulimia Nervosa: This diagnosis is defined by (1) eating a large amount of food in a discrete period of time; (2) feeling out of control while eating; and (3) inappropriately expelling the food to prevent weight gain. People who meet this criteria may either expel the food by purging with self-induced vomiting or excessive use of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas; others may expel food by non-purging methods, such as fasting or excessive exercise.

Binge Eating Disorder: This diagnosis is characterized by (1) eating a large amount of food in a discrete period of time; (2) feeling out of control while eating; and (3) not inappropriately expelling the food. A “binge” is characterized by at least three or more of the following descriptions:

1. ✴Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
   

2. ✴Eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry
   

3. ✴Eating much more rapidly than normal
   

4. ✴Eating alone because you are embarrassed by how much you're eating
   

5. ✴Feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty after overeating
   

This diagnosis has yet to be included in the DSM-IV (the manual used by all mental health professionals and insurance companies), so for now people with BED are given a diagnosis of “Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified” (see below).

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS): This diagnosis captures any type of eating disorder that does not meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (see above). Some of the disordered behaviors that fall into the EDNOS category include:

1. ✴Binge Eating Disorder (see description above)
   

2. ✴Night/Sleep Eating: unknowingly consuming food during the night while sleeping; people may wake in the morning to find empty food wrappers or crumbs in their bed but have no memory of eating
   

3. ✴Orthorexia: an unhealthy obsession with “health” foods; avoidance of foods that are non-organic and/or may contain sugar, animal products, white flour, fat, or preservatives
   

4. ✴Diabulimia: a person with Type 1 diabetes who purposefully skips or decreases their insulin in an effort to lose weight
   

5. ✴Pregorexia: a slang term that describes a pregnant woman who reduces her caloric intake so as to avoid healthy weight gain during her pregnancy
   

6. ✴Drunkorexia: a slang term that describes severe restricting of food to compensate for the calories consumed from binge drinking; also refers to bingeing on alcohol and then purging
   
   

Other Mental Health Issues Associated with Eating Disorders

Many people affected by eating disorders also struggle with other mental health issues; this is known as “comorbidity.” Mental health issues that are often experienced by people with eating disorders include, but are not limited to:

1. ✴Depression: decreased interest in activities that were once pleasurable, changes in sleep patterns and weight, irritable or moody, frequent crying
   

2. ✴Anxiety: generalized worry, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, easily stressed, catastrophize seemingly minor issues, fear of social situations
   

3. ✴Substance use: frequent intake of alcohol, nicotine, and/or illegal drugs (these are often used to numb the feelings of anxiety, depression)
   

4. ✴Post-traumatic stress disorder: intense fear, helplessness, or horror after experiencing or witnessing an extreme traumatic stressor; ongoing re-experiencing of traumatic stressor (common for survivors of abuse)
   

5. ✴Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): impulsivity, inattentiveness, and/or hyperactivity that significantly impairs ability to effectively participate in school, home, work, etc. (symptoms must have been present before age 7 to be diagnosed)
   
   

Common Personality Traits of People with Eating Disorders

Because eating disorders affect people from all walks of life, there is no one “type” of person who is more or less likely to have an eating disorder. However, there are some common personality traits that are consistently displayed by people with eating disorders, so it is useful to know what these traits look like, as this might help you understand how a person’s behaviors may be closely linked with the eating disorder. It is important to remember that personality traits are rooted in genetics, just like eating disorders, and that people don’t necessarily “choose” to develop these traits.

Common personality traits of people with eating disorders include, but are not limited to:

1. ✴Perfectionism: intense focus on doing things perfectly and maintaining a perfect image; constantly feeling as though your efforts are never good enough
   

2. ✴People-Pleaser: concerned with meeting others’ needs before meeting one’s own needs; difficulty with saying “No” to people’s requests for fear that they will be upset or disappointed in you
   

3. ✴Stubborn or Strong-Willed: insist that things be done your way
   

4. ✴Impulsive: less likely to “think things through;” more likely to make rash decisions, steal, or shoplift
   

5. ✴Dichotomous Thinking: classify things into polar opposites; “black-and-white thinking;” all-or-nothing (e.g., foods are either “good” or “bad”)
   

6. ✴Hypersensitive: extremely sensitive to how others treat you and react to you; easily flustered when you think others might be dissatisfied with you
   
   

Physical Complications Associated with Eating Disorders

Eating disorders wreak havoc on the body. If you  or someone you love has an eating disorder, it is imperative to have a complete physical evaluation immediately so as to treat any medical complications before they turn deadly.

Some of the physical complications associated with eating disorders are:

1. ✴Dehydration & electrolyte imbalance
   

2. ✴Heart muscle damage
   

3. ✴Irregular heartbeat
   

4. ✴Low blood pressure
   

5. ✴Muscle paralysis
   

6. ✴Kidney damage or failure
   

7. ✴Convulsions, seizures
   

8. ✴Liver damage or failure
   

9. ✴Loss of menstrual periods (i.e., amenorrhea)
   

10. ✴Loss of bone density (i.e., osteopenia, osteoporosis)
    

11. ✴Fertility problems
    

12. ✴Dry and brittle hair, nails, and skin
    

13. ✴Edema (swollen legs and feet)
    

14. ✴Sore throat
    

15. ✴Esophagus damage
    

16. ✴Acid reflux
    

17. ✴Gastrointestinal damage (e.g., bloating, constipation, diarrhea)
    

18. ✴Tooth enamel damage & discoloration
    
    

If you or your loved one has experienced some of these complications as a result of an eating disorder, it is imperative to immediately see a physician so as to have a thorough physical evaluation, which should include complete bloodwork, an EKG, and a bone density scan.  Additionally, follow-up care with an endocrinologist and gastroenterologist are critical, since these are two of the body systems that are most affected by eating disorders.

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