Eating Disorders: What are they?

Basic description and caution information
8 official DSM diagnoses plus some disordered eating names

You may be aware of one or more of these, and this list is not a complete representation of the diagnoses. The purpose of this post is not to diagnose, but to educate and inform folks of red flags and indications that you or someone you know may be hurting and need extra support mentally and nutritionally. Eating disorders are so prevalent and so under treated on a person-by-person basis. If you have any questions, please email me denise@thoughtfullnutrition.com. I would be honored to help direct you to the help you may need. You, and/or your loved one deserves care, space, and support

Anorexia Nervosa: 

1. Body image concerns – wanting to manipulate body size
2. Fear of gaining weight
3. Restricting food to certain times of day

Atypical Anorexia

1. Same as “AN” but the individual lives in a body size above the “BMI” criteria for AN

Bulimia Nervosa: 

1. Throwing up after eating
2. Marks on fingers or hands from teeth scraping
3. Erosion of enamel on teeth
4. Often associated with restriction

Binge Eating Disorder: 

1. Restriction leading to eating more than peers at a given time/eating to over-uncomfortable more than 1 meal a day
2. Not eating until everyone has gone from  your personal space
3. Hoarding foods and hiding “evidence” of eating it

ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder)

1. “Picky eating” can be associated with a food fear or negative feeding experience that leads to avoidance of certain foods
2. Negative/unintentionally harmful feeding experiences in infancy, early childhood
3. Often limited to 5-15 accepted foods

Rumination Disorder

1. Regurgitation of undigested/partially digested food 
2. Unintentional and uncontrolled without adequate clinical oversight and coping skills

Pica

1. Eating non-nutritive things (ice, dirt, lipstick, etc)
2. Can lead to digestive difficulties and food aversions

OSFED (other specified feeding or eating disorder)

1. Usually used when disordered behavior is present and multiple ED behaviors are presenting

Orthorexia

1. Intense desire to eat “clean” to modify the body
2. Often associated with “good” and “bad” foods; “cheat days”
3. “Exercise the food eaten out of the body”

Diabulimia 

1. Seen in people who use external insulin; will control insulin and sugar absorption – will not dose enough insulin to cover all the glucose consumed so that the excess does not get utilized – VERY dangerous; generally seen in folks with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

What can I do if I resonate with any of this information?

1. Research a eating disorders team to include a therapist/counselor, dietitian, primary medical care provider, and psychiatrist (sometimes an occupational therapist/speech language pathologist). Email Denise if you would like help in curating a team.
2. Lead by example if someone you know might be struggling – model food exploration, express your likes and dislikes neutrally, or sit with someone while they sit with uncomfortable feelings.
3. Gently offer support in lending an ear; try not to fix the issue, just listen
4. Offer a safe and comfortable space for meals and snacks, keeping it low-effort and casual conversation on topics other than food/body image.

We are more powerful together, encouraging each other, and sitting together in the discomforts.