What is a food disoder?

A food disorder is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks about food and/or their body. People with food disorders often have an unhealthy relationship with food, and may restrict their food intake, binge eat, or purge (vomit or use laxatives to get rid of food).

Food disorders can have a devastating impact on a person's physical and mental health. They can lead to a range of health problems, including malnutrition, anemia, heart problems, and kidney failure. Food disorders can also cause anxiety, depression, and social isolation.

There are many different types of food disorders, but the most common are:

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, an unhealthy desire to be thin, and a refusal to maintain a healthy body weight. People with anorexia nervosa often severely restrict their food intake, and may exercise excessively.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by binge eating, followed by purging. People with bulimia nervosa may eat large amounts of food in a short period of time, and then purge by vomiting, taking laxatives, or exercising excessively.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, without purging. People with binge eating disorder may eat large amounts of food in a short period of time, and may feel a loss of control over their eating.

Food disorders are serious mental illnesses, but they can be treated. Treatment for food disorders typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and nutritional counseling.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a food disorder, please reach out for help. There are many resources available to help people with food disorders recover.