Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect a person’s relationship with food, body image, and eating behavior. The most common types include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

Common signs

Symptoms can include restricting food, fearing weight gain, binge eating, purging, excessive exercise, secrecy around eating, and intense preoccupation with weight, shape, or calories. Some people also develop physical problems such as fatigue, dizziness, stomach issues, or changes in weight and menstrual cycles.

Types

Anorexia nervosa usually involves severe restriction of food intake and strong fear of gaining weight. Bulimia nervosa involves binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, laxative use, fasting, or excessive exercise. Binge eating disorder involves repeated binge episodes without regular purging.

Treatment

Treatment usually combines psychotherapy, medical monitoring, and sometimes nutrition support or medication. Family-based treatment can be especially helpful for adolescents, and therapies such as CBT or DBT may be used depending on the disorder and symptoms.

When to seek help

A person should get evaluated if eating habits, body image concerns, or weight-control behaviors are causing distress or interfering with daily life. Early treatment matters because eating disorders can lead to serious medical and emotional complications.

Urgent warning signs

Seek urgent medical help for fainting, chest pain, severe weakness, confusion, vomiting blood, or rapid weight loss. Immediate support is also needed if there are thoughts of self-harm or suicide.