Behavioral conditions recognized as severe and persistent disturbances of eating behaviors in conjunction with distressing thoughts and emotions are Eating Disorders (ED).
Eating disorders are complex and profound. Types of eating disorders include the following:
Anorexia Nervosa (AN): AN is identified as self-starvation and weight loss resulting in low weight for height and range. There are two types of AN: 1) Restricting Type: Individuals lose weight from fasting, dieting or exercising excessively. 2) Binge-eating/Purging Type: Individuals lose weight from intermittent binge eating and/or purging.
Bulimia Nervosa (BN): BN is identified as alternating dieting and low-calorie consumption with binge eating (eating an excessive amount of food in a short period of time with feelings of a loss of control over the amount and what is eaten).
Binge Eating Disorder (BED): BED is identified as having episodes of binge eating of large quantities of food in a short period, associated with a loss of control.
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): ARFID is identified as a disturbance in eating resulting in persistent failure to meet nutritional requirements and extreme picky eating.
Pica: PICA is identified as eating things that are not food repeatedly over at least one month.
Rumination Disorder (RD): RD is identified as a repeated regurgitation and re-chewing of food that has been eatign and swallowed and then brought back up.
Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED): UFED is identified as a situation in which symptoms of a feeding or eating disorder cause distress that is significant or social, occupational, or other impairment but do not meet the full criteria for a diagnosis.
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Many people do not understand what an individual with an eating disorder experiences or is challenged with. Food, the very thing we need to live, provides a daily struggle. If you are looking for a safe, supportive environment to explore how you are not alone in this, please call. We can collaboratively find the therapeutic journey that is safe and fulfilling for you.
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American Psychiatric Association (APA). (n.d.). What are eating disorders? American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved on July 19, 2025 from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders