Recovery

There are four main types of eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), and Binge Eating also known as Compulsive Overeating.

 

Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a serious, often chronic, and life-threatening eating disorder defined by a refusal to maintain minimal body weight within 15 percent of an individual's normal weight. Other essential features of this disorder include an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and amenorrhea (absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles when they are otherwise expected to occur). In addition to the classic pattern of restrictive eating, some people will also engage in recurrent binge eating and purging episodes. Starvation, weight loss, and related medical complications are quite serious and can result in death. More

Bulimia

Bulimia nervosa, is a psychological eating disorder. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of binge-eating followed by inappropriate methods of weight control (purging). Inappropriate methods of weight control include vomiting, fasting, enemas, excessive use of laxatives and diuretics, or compulsive exercising. Excessive shape and weight concerns are also characteristics of bulimia. A binge is an episode where an individual eats a much larger amount of food than most people would in a similar situation. Binge eating is not a response to intense hunger. It is usually a response to depression, stress, or self esteem issues. During the binge episode, the individual experiences a loss of control. However, the sense of a loss of control is also followed by a short-lived calmness. The calmness is often followed by self-loathing. The cycle of overeating and purging usually becomes an obsession and is repeated often. More

"About one in every one hundred women binges and purges to lose weight." - Statistic

 

EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified)

EDNOS covers those who fail to meet all guidelines for eating disorders, which means that they may not qualify for coverage for their illness. For example:

• A person with anorexia who weights 87% of her ideal body weight (IBW) technically has an EDNOS, because the guidelines say the individual should weigh no more than 85% of IBW to be considered anorexic.
• A woman who meets the weight criteria for anorexia, but still has her period would be classified as having an EDNOS.
• A person with EDNOS who binges and purges once a week technically has an EDNOS, because the guidelines say the individual should binge and purge at least twice a week to be considered bulimic.
• A person with binge eating disorder (BED) who binges once a week technically has an EDNOS, because the guidelines say the individual should binge at least twice a week to be considered bulimic.
• A person who combines symptoms of anorexia and bulimia, but does not meet all of the medical criteria for either disease would be classified as having an EDNOS. More

 

Binge Eating/Compulsive Overeating

Binge eating is an eating disorder characterized by a loss of control over eating behavior and the consumption of excess amounts of food within a short period of time. It is defined as having at least 2 binge episodes a weak for at least 6 months.

People with binge eating disorder are usually preoccupied with weight and food. They usually have high personal standards. Binge eating disorder is most common in older, overweight women.

Most people with binge eating disorder are obese. Obesity is defined as being more than 20 percent above a healthy body weight. Normal-weight people also can be affected. More

 

To find additional information on anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or EDNOS click on the following links:

ANRED (Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders) More

Information for parents and the family More

Additional information on eating disorders, the underlying causes More