Eating Disorder

Eating disorders involve extreme disturbances in eating behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. They carry the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition and require specialized, multidisciplinary treatment.

Prevalence

About 30 million Americans — 20 million women and 10 million men — will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

Symptoms of Eating Disorder

• Restrictive eating or extreme dieting
• Binge eating episodes
• Purging (vomiting, laxatives)
• Intense fear of weight gain
• Distorted body image
• Social isolation around food
• Medical complications (electrolyte imbalances, heart problems)

Types of Eating Disorder

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
• Orthorexia

Evidence-Based Treatment Options

• Residential treatment programs
• Partial hospitalization (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• Individual therapy (CBT, DBT, FBT)
• Nutrition counseling
• Medical monitoring
• Family-based treatment for adolescents

When to Seek Help

Eating disorders can be life-threatening. Seek help immediately if you notice significant weight loss, physical symptoms, or preoccupation with food and weight that controls your life.

Recovery Outlook

With early, intensive treatment, recovery is possible. Family-based treatment (the Maudsley Approach) has especially strong outcomes for adolescents with anorexia.