What is an eating disorder

TL;DR:

Eating disorders involve distress about food, weight, or shape.
Symptoms show up in thoughts, actions, and the body.
Common red flags include strict food rules and secret eating.
Each type has its own pattern, like bingeing or purging.
Get help early. Call urgent care if there are heart or fainting signs.

An eating disorder is a mental health condition. It affects how a person thinks about food, body shape, and weight. It also changes eating behaviors and can harm health and daily life. The American Psychiatric Association says types include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, and others.

Core symptom areas

Symptoms fall into three groups. One person may have some, not all.

Thoughts and feelings

Preoccupation with weight, shape, calories, or food rules.
Distorted body image or feeling “fat” despite low or average weight.
Intense fear of weight gain.
Shame, guilt, or anxiety around eating.

Behaviors

Restricting food, skipping meals, or eating very small amounts.
Binge eating large amounts with a loss of control.
Purging after eating using vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, or excessive exercise.
Eating in secret, hoarding food, or rigid meal rituals.

Physical signs

Weight loss, weight changes, or weight that does not match growth in youth.
Dizziness, fainting, cold intolerance, hair loss, dry skin, and fatigue.
Stomach pain, reflux, constipation, or menstrual changes.
Tooth enamel erosion, swollen cheeks, or sore throat from vomiting.

Symptoms by type

Each disorder has a pattern. Below are short symptom guides. Only a clinician can diagnose.

Anorexia nervosa

Strong fear of weight gain and persistent behaviors to avoid it.
Restriction of energy intake leading to low weight for age and height.
Distorted body image or not recognizing health risks of low weight.
Physical signs can include low blood pressure, slow heart rate, cold hands and feet, hair thinning, and missed periods.

Bulimia nervosa

Recurrent binge eating with a sense of loss of control.
Repeated compensatory behaviors after binges, such as self-induced vomiting, laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise.
Self-evaluation tied to weight or shape.
Common physical signs include tooth erosion, swollen parotid glands, acid reflux, and electrolyte problems.

Binge eating disorder

Recurrent episodes of eating unusually large amounts in a short time.
Feeling out of control during episodes.
Eating quickly, eating when not hungry, eating alone due to shame, and feeling disgusted or guilty after.
No regular compensatory behaviors.
Physical effects can include weight gain, metabolic strain, and sleep issues.

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, ARFID

Avoidance or restriction of food due to low interest in eating, sensory issues, or fear of choking or vomiting.
Significant weight loss, poor growth, or nutrient deficiency.
Dependence on supplements or tube feeding in severe cases.
Not driven by shape or weight concerns.

Other specified feeding or eating disorder, OSFED

Symptoms cause clear distress and impairment but do not meet full criteria for one type.
Examples include atypical anorexia, subthreshold bulimia or binge eating, or night eating syndrome.

Early clues many people miss

New strict food rules, like cutting entire food groups.
Leaving the table to the bathroom after meals.
Wearing baggy clothes to hide weight loss or shape.
Frequent body checking, such as mirror checks and measuring.
Using fitness trackers to “earn” food.

Health risks to watch

Untreated eating disorders can harm the heart, bones, hormones, teeth, and digestive tract. They also link with depression, anxiety, and suicide risk. Serious complications include electrolyte imbalance and heart rhythm problems. These need urgent medical care.

Quick checklist

Use this simple list as a prompt to seek help. It is not a test.

Area	Signs that need attention
Thoughts	Fear of weight gain, body dissatisfaction, constant food thoughts
Eating	Skips meals, strict rules, binge episodes, secret eating
Compensatory acts	Vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, fasting, driven exercise
Physical	Dizziness, fainting, cold, stomach pain, dental issues, missed periods
Impact	School or work decline, social withdrawal, mood changes

If two or more areas fit your recent experience, speak with a clinician.

When to seek urgent help

Go to urgent care or an emergency department if you have chest pain, fainting, fast or slow heartbeat, confusion, low blood pressure, or severe dehydration. These can mean dangerous electrolyte problems.

What to do next

Talk to a primary care doctor, pediatrician, or mental health professional.
Ask about evidence-based care, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or family-based treatment.
Ask for checks of weight trends, vitals, blood tests, and electrolytes.
Involve a registered dietitian with eating disorder training.
If you support someone, offer calm, nonjudgmental help. Focus on health, not weight. Share resources and encourage a medical visit.

How symptoms differ in children and teens

Growth matters. Warning signs include falling off growth curves, not hitting puberty milestones, food avoidance at school, and exercise obsession in sports. Caregivers may notice mood swings and social withdrawal. Johns Hopkins notes common types in youth include anorexia, atypical anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and ARFID.

Cultural and gender notes

Anyone can have an eating disorder. Men and people across all cultures can be affected, and symptoms may be missed when weight looks “normal.” Health services recommend equal attention to behaviors and distress, not size alone.

Why it matters

Early detection saves lives. Getting help when symptoms first appear can reduce medical harm and improve recovery. Screening and treatment are effective. NIMH and NHS guidance stress prompt assessment and tailored care.

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