The link between anorexia and bulimia and other mental health disorders.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses with potentially life-threatening consequences. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are the most common types of eating disorders.
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, self-starvation, and severe weight loss. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives. Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating without the subsequent purging behaviors.
Eating disorders often occur in conjunction with other mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder. Bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are also associated with significant medical and psychological complications.
Eating disorders are treatable illnesses. Early intervention and treatment can significantly improve outcomes.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses characterized by extreme and disturbed eating behaviors.1
The three most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.1
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and self-starvation.1 People with anorexia nervosa often have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight even when they are dangerously underweight.1
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives.1 People with bulimia nervosa often have a cycle of bingeing and purging that they feel they cannot control.1
Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating without the subsequent purging behaviors.1 People with binge eating disorder often feel ashamed, embarrassed, and out of control when they are bingeing.1
Eating disorders often occur in conjunction with other mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.2
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder.3 Bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are also associated with significant medical and psychological complications.4
Eating disorders are treatable illnesses. Early intervention and treatment can significantly improve outcomes.5
What Is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental illness characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and self-starvation.1
People with anorexia nervosa often have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight even when they are dangerously underweight.1
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder.3
Anorexia nervosa is treated with a combination of medical and psychological interventions.5
What Is Bulimia Nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa is a serious mental illness characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives.1
People with bulimia nervosa often have a cycle of bingeing and purging that they feel they cannot control.1
Bulimia nervosa is associated with significant medical and psychological complications.4
Bulimia nervosa is treated with a combination of medical and psychological interventions.5
What Is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge eating disorder is a serious mental illness characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating without the subsequent purging behaviors.1
People with binge eating disorder often feel ashamed, embarrassed, and out of control when they are bingeing.1
Binge eating disorder is associated with significant medical and psychological complications.4
Binge eating disorder is treated with a combination of medical and psychological interventions.5
What Are the Consequences of Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses with potentially life-threatening consequences.1
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder.3
Bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are also associated with significant medical and psychological complications.4
Eating disorders often occur in conjunction with other mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.2
Eating disorders are treatable illnesses. Early intervention and treatment can significantly improve outcomes.5
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please seek professional help.
References:
1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
2. National Institutes of Health. (2016). Eating disorders. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml
3. Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. (2017). Eating disorders. Retrieved from http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=705D5DF0-055B-F1EC-3CDA04B3C7058EB7
4. National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Binge eating disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/binge-eating-disorder
5. National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Get help. Retrieved from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline Citation
The dangers of anorexia and bulimia.
Anorexia and bulimia are two of the most common eating disorders in the United States. Both disorders are characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a preoccupation with food and body image.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by extremely restrictive eating and an intense fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia nervosa believe that they are overweight, even when they are not. They may diet excessively, exercise compulsively, and/or use purging behaviors (such as self-induced vomiting) to control their weight. Anorexia nervosa can have devastating physical and psychological consequences, including severe weight loss, electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, organ damage, and even death.
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by binge eating followed by purging behaviors (such as self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives or diuretics, or excessive exercise). People with bulimia nervosa are usually of normal weight or slightly overweight. Like those with anorexia nervosa, people with bulimia nervosa often have a distorted body image and are overly concerned with their weight and shape. Bulimia nervosa can also have serious physical and psychological consequences, including electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, organ damage, and death.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can have devastating physical and psychological consequences. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please seek professional help.
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