Common Types Of Eating Disorders

Bulimia Nervosa

Patients with bulimia nervosa are preoccupied with weight gain. However, instead of refusing food, bulimia patients will eat in front of others. They will also often eat a large amount of food with no control over doing so. This is known as binge eating. That said, after they eat food, they will head to the bathroom and purge what they have just eaten. They may misuse laxatives and diuretics to induce a bowel movement or vomiting. Manual purging by sticking a finger down the throat is also common.

Individuals with bulimia nervosa will erode their tooth enamel and deal with sensitive teeth due to vomiting. They will also experience weight fluctuations, dizziness, dry nails, and thinning hair. Behavioral symptoms of bulimia include drinking water excessively, frequently dieting, purchasing lots of laxatives, wearing baggy clothes, and always heading to the bathroom after eating. They may also chew high quantities of gum to mask the scent of vomit.

Continue reading to learn about a common eating disorder that is surprisingly life-threatening next.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is best defined as repeatedly eating a significant amount of food in short periods. Patients will also feel out of control during these periods of binge eating. They will often feel guilt and shame after eating. However, it is important to note that this eating disorder does not involve purging after the episodes of binge eating.

Patients will often eat faster than normal and often until they are uncomfortably full when they suffer from binge eating disorder. They may not even start out hungry. Additionally, patients will often eat alone due to their feelings of shame and guilt. They will go on diets quite often, experience weight fluctuations, and have strict rules around eating. Individuals with binge eating disorder will also deal with constipation, abdominal cramps, and acid reflux.

The next eating disorder on this list involves eating items not considered real food.