On this page I am listing the three main eating disorder categories, however there are others not listed here at length.

For example ARFID which is 'Avoidant restrictive feeding intake disorder' and describes an individual who is excessively selective about what they will or will not eat. There are many reasons why ARFID can develop, but nutritional and psychological help will be required for long term health. Please get in touch if you wish to discuss this further.

Orthorexia Nervosa is a condition whereby an individual focuses excessively on healthy clean or pure eating to the degree that whole food groups may be omitted, sometimes alongside excessive levels of exercising resulting in a malnourished nutritional profile and mental health conditions. High levels of perfectionism, obsessive compulsive disorder and rigid rule adherence can be a factor here, as well as fears of gaining weight and body image disturbances.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Anorexia nervosa is a very serious and potentially life-threatening mental health disorder in which a person is entirely preoccupied with body weight and a fear of fatness which can be described as a phobia.The anorexic person will seek to achieve a low weight through self-starvation and excessive weight loss. According to the DSM-5 criteria, to be diagnosed as having Anorexia Nervosa a person must display:

Persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight (in context of what is minimally expected for age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health).
Either an intense fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, or persistent behaviour that interferes with weight gain (even though significantly low weight).
Disturbance in the way one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body shape and weight on self-evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight.

Things to look out for (Warning Signs)

Severe weight loss.
Obsession with dieting, fasting and any dramatic weight loss method.
Refusal to eat certain foods, or even whole food categories (e.g. no carbohydrates, no dairy, suddenly becoming vegan etc.).
Distress about being “fat” or overweight despite being under weight.
Fear of gaining weight or being “fat.”
Denial of hunger.
Development of food rituals (e.g. eating foods in certain orders, excessive chewing, rearranging food on a plate).
Consistent excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food.
Excessive, rigid exercise regimen–despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury, the need to “burn off” calories taken in.
Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.
In general, behaviours and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns.

Consequences and complications

Slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is changing. The risk for heart failure rises as heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower.
Gastrointestinal symptoms, constipation, bloating.
Hormonal problems, loss of menstruation, regression of ovaries and testes.
Lowered immunity and anaemia.
Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones.
Muscle loss and weakness.
Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure.
Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.
Dry hair and skin, hair loss is common.
Growth of a downy layer of hair called lanugo all over the body, including the face, in an effort to keep the body warm.
Intense depression

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Bulimia nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterised by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviours such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.

Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterised by both of the following:
1.Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g. within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.
2. A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g. a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).
Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviour in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications, fasting, or excessive exercise.
The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviours both occur, on average, at least once a week for three months.
Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of Anorexia Nervosa.

Things to look out for (Warning signs)

Evidence of binge eating. This might include the disappearance of large amounts of food over short periods of time. Finding food wrappers and containers which may suggest consumption of food eaten secretly.
Evidence of purging behaviours, including regular trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, discovery of packages of laxatives or diuretics.
Excessive and inflexible exercise routines. This will be in spite of bad weather, fatigue, illness, or injury. Resulting from the compulsive need to “burn off” calories consumed after a binge.
Blood-shot eyes. Regular vomiting can cause small haemorrhages in the eyes.
Swelling of the cheeks or jaw area.
Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting.
Discolouration or staining of the teeth.
Creation of lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions.
Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.
In general, behaviours and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns.
Frequent changes in weight

How you may experience Bulimia (Symptoms)

A compulsion to eat regardless of levels of hunger or fullness until the binge event is ‘done’ – this can sometimes feel like waking up from a trancelike state.
A feeling of being out of control during the binge-eating episodes. You may feel like you have no choice but to continue, until it stops.
Self-esteem and self-worth are closely linked to your body and body image conflicts. All feelings become that of ‘being or feeling’ fat.
A complete denial of feeling prior to a bulimic episode, following by a powerful cascade of self directed negative emotions, such as shame, disgust, anger and depression, after an episode.
An overwhelming need to expel the feelings (vomit/purge) as much as the food, associated with a binge episode. Everything needs to come out until you are empty in every way.
Bulimia can become your ‘secret’ friend, always there when you need it. This attachment can feel comforting and needed. However it can also leave you feeling quite alone and isolated with your condition.

Consequences and Complications

Bulimia nervosa can be extremely hard on the body. Recurrent bingeing and purging can disrupt the entire digestive system and purging behaviours can lead to electrolyte and chemical imbalances in the body that affect the heart and other major organ functions. Some of the complications that arise from bulimic behaviour include:
Retinal displacement. As a result of the intense pressures of vomiting, blood shot eyes can be a usual side effect. Less often reported is the serious damage that can be done, requiring surgery to correct it.
Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death. Electrolyte imbalance is caused by dehydration and loss of potassium and sodium from the body as a result of purging behaviours.
Inflammation and possible rupture of the oesophagus from frequent vomiting.
Tooth and enamel decay and staining from stomach acids released during frequent vomiting.
Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation, made worse with laxative use.
Gastric rupture is uncommon, but does occur in extreme cases.

BINGE EATING DISORDER

Binge Eating Disorder is less common but much more severe than overeating. Binge Eating Disorder is associated with more subjective distress regarding the eating behaviour, and commonly other co-occurring psychological problems.

Criteria for Diagnosis

According to the DSM-5 criteria, to be diagnosed as having Binge Eating Disorder a person must display:

Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterised by both of the following:
Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g. within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.
A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g. a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).

The binge eating episodes are associated with three or more of the following:

eating much more rapidly than normal
eating until feeling uncomfortably full
eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungr
eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating
feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty afterward
Marked distress regarding binge eating is present
Binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for three months
Binge eating not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behaviours as in Bulimia Nervosa and does not occur exclusively during the course of Bulimia Nervosa, or Anorexia Nervosa methods to compensate for overeating, such as self-induced vomiting.

How you may experience Binge Eating Disorder (Symptoms)

A compulsion to eat regardless of levels of hunger or fullness until the binge event is ‘done’ – this can sometimes feel like waking up from a trancelike state.
A feeling of being out of control during the binge-eating episodes. You may feel like you have no choice but to continue, until it stops.
Self-esteem and self-worth are closely linked to your body and body image conflicts. All feelings become that of ‘being or feeling’ fat.
Unlike Bulimia and Anorexia there are no attempts at compensatory behaviours such as vomiting, overeating, restricting or over-exercising.
Stock and hiding food to eat in secret at a later time.
A tendency to night-eat
Pre-occupation with food and eating and the anticipation of the binge, becoming a priority in your thinking.

Possible signs of Binge eating disorder:

Evidence of binge eating. This might include the disappearance of large amounts of food over short periods of time. Finding food wrappers and containers which may suggest consumption of food eaten secretly.
Guilt, shame and anger around eating habits.
Creation of lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge sessions.
Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.
In general, a desperation to control weight and eating habits with a constant belief of needing to diet.
Helplessness around increase in weight.
Health consequences (Diabetes etc)

Consequences and Complications

The poor eating habits that are common to people with binge eating disorder can lead to serious health problems. The major complications of binge eating disorder are the conditions that often result from being obese.

These include:

Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Gallbladder disease
Heart disease
Shortness of breath
Certain types of cancer
Menstrual problems
Decreased mobility (inability to move around) and tiredness
Sleep problems, including sleep apnea.

Highland Eating Disorder Support

On this page I am listing the three main eating disorder categories, however there are others not listed here at length.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Bulimia nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterised by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviours such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.

BINGE EATING DISORDER

Binge Eating Disorder is less common but much more severe than overeating. Binge Eating Disorder is associated with more subjective distress regarding the eating behaviour, and commonly other co-occurring psychological problems.

Highland Eating Disorder Support

Highland Eating Disorder Support

On this page I am listing the three main eating disorder categories, however there are others not listed here at length.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Bulimia nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterised by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviours such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.

BINGE EATING DISORDER

Binge Eating Disorder is less common but much more severe than overeating. Binge Eating Disorder is associated with more subjective distress regarding the eating behaviour, and commonly other co-occurring psychological problems.

Highland Eating Disorder Support

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