Understanding Types of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect how people relate to food, eating, body image, and themselves. They can impact individuals of all ages, genders, and body sizes, and they often go unnoticed because they don’t always look the way people expect.
Many people search questions such as “types of eating disorders,” “signs of eating disorders,” or “what eating disorder do I have?” This guide breaks down the main types of eating disorders, how they differ, and why understanding these distinctions matters.
What Is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is a diagnosable mental health condition involving persistent disturbances in eating behaviours and related thoughts or emotions. These disturbances significantly impact physical health, emotional wellbeing, and daily functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
Importantly, eating disorders are not a choice, a lack of willpower, or simply “bad habits.” They are serious conditions influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors (National Eating Disorder Information Centre [NEDIC], 2023).
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by:
Restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight
Intense fear of weight gain or becoming “fat”
Distorted body image or difficulty recognizing the seriousness of low weight
Individuals with anorexia may engage in rigid food rules, calorie counting, or excessive exercise. While anorexia is often associated with low body weight, it can also present in people who do not appear underweight, sometimes referred to as atypical anorexia (APA, 2022).
Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric disorders and often requires multidisciplinary care.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa involves a cycle of:
Recurrent binge eating episodes (eating large amounts of food with a sense of loss of control)
Compensatory behaviours to prevent weight gain, such as vomiting, laxative use, fasting, or excessive exercise
People with bulimia often experience intense shame and guilt after binge episodes and may keep symptoms hidden. Many individuals with bulimia are within a “normal” weight range, making the disorder harder to detect (HealthLink BC, 2022).
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Binge eating disorder is defined by:
Recurrent binge eating episodes
A sense of loss of control during eating
Significant emotional distress following binges
Absence of regular compensatory behaviours
BED is one of the most common eating disorders in Canada, including in BC (CMHA BC, 2023). People with BED may eat rapidly, eat beyond physical comfort, or eat when not physically hungry. The disorder is often associated with shame, secrecy, and emotional distress rather than weight alone.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID involves restrictive eating patterns that are not driven by body image or weight concerns. Instead, restriction may be related to:
Sensory sensitivities (taste, texture, smell)
Fear of negative consequences such as choking or vomiting
Low interest in eating
ARFID can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, or dependence on supplements. It occurs in both children and adults and is increasingly recognized in clinical settings (APA, 2022).
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)
OSFED is a diagnostic category used when an individual’s symptoms cause significant distress or impairment but do not meet the full criteria for another eating disorder.
Examples include:
Atypical anorexia nervosa
Purging disorder (purging without binge eating)
Night eating syndrome
OSFED is just as serious as other eating disorders and is commonly diagnosed in clinical practice (NEDIC, 2023).
Less Common Feeding and Eating Disorders
Other, less common conditions include:
Pica: Eating non-food substances (e.g., dirt, chalk)
Rumination disorder: Repeated regurgitation or rechewing of food
These conditions are rarer but can still have serious health consequences (APA, 2022).
Some people also search for terms like orthorexia or exercise addiction. While these are not formal DSM-5 diagnoses, they can overlap with clinically recognized eating disorders and still cause significant distress.
Why Understanding the Types of Eating Disorders Matters
Understanding the different types of eating disorders can help:
Reduce stigma and self-blame
Encourage earlier recognition and support
Improve access to appropriate treatment
In British Columbia, individuals can seek support through primary care providers, community mental health services, specialized eating disorder programs, or private practitioners trained in eating disorder treatment.
Reading about eating disorders can sometimes bring up questions, uncertainty, or recognition. If this information connects with your own experience, you don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Exploring these concerns with a trained professional can offer clarity and support in a way that respects your individual needs.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.).
Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division. (2023). Eating disorders. https://bc.cmha.ca
HealthLink BC. (2022). Bulimia nervosa. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca
National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC). (2023). Types of eating disorders. https://nedic.ca
Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2021). Eating disorders. https://mentalhealthcommission.ca
