Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses with significant physical and psychological consequences. Many people associate them solely with anorexia, but the reality is far more complex. This guide explores the diverse landscape of eating disorders, moving beyond common misconceptions.
**Anorexia Nervosa:** Characterized by intense fear of gaining weight, distorted body image, and severe restriction of food intake.
**Bulimia Nervosa:** Involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use.
**Binge Eating Disorder (BED):** Marked by recurrent episodes of binge eating without compensatory behaviors. Individuals often experience feelings of shame and guilt.
**Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID):** Characterized by a lack of interest in eating or avoidance of certain foods due to sensory issues, fear of aversive consequences, or other reasons. It's not driven by body image concerns.
**Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED):** This category encompasses eating disorders that don't fully meet the criteria for anorexia, bulimia, BED, or ARFID, but still cause significant distress and impairment.
It's crucial to remember that eating disorders are treatable. Seeking professional help is the first step towards recovery.
