Second to opioid overdose, eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses. An eating disorder isn’t just about food. There's so much more involved, which makes it all the more difficult to get out of them. I know this firsthand because I’m on my journey to recovery from an eating disorder (I will make a blog post about this soon, be on the lookout).

Before we get started, I’d just like to point out that resources such as this article aren’t enough to help you overcome mental illness by themselves. Recovering from any form of mental illness is a journey, it takes some time but eventually, you do get there.

In this article, I’m going to walk you through what an eating disorder is and 2 common types, how to know if you have an ED, and tips to help you in your recovery journey. Sending everyone reading this an abundance of love and support.

What is an eating disorder?

Eating disorders are a range of psychological conditions that cause unhealthy eating habits to develop. They might start with an obsession with food, body weight, or body shape. In severe cases, eating disorders can cause serious health consequences and may even result in death if left untreated.

Related: Talking to a Loved One About their Weight

Types of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are a group of related conditions involving extreme food and weight issues, but each disorder has unique symptoms and diagnosis criteria. Eating Disorders can be categorized into various types, however, here are the 2 most common types and their symptoms.

1. Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia is likely the most well-known eating disorder. It generally develops during adolescence or young adulthood and tends to affect more women than men. People with anorexia generally view themselves as overweight, even if they’re dangerously underweight. They tend to constantly monitor their weight, avoid eating certain types of foods, and severely restrict their calorie intake. However, it’s important to note that weight should not be the major focus of diagnosing someone with anorexia.

2. Bulimia nervosa

Like anorexia, bulimia tends to develop during adolescence and early adulthood and appears to be less common among men than women. People with bulimia frequently eat unusually large amounts of food at a specific time, an act that many refer to as binge eating. Binges can happen with any type of food but most commonly occur with foods the individual would usually avoid. Individuals with bulimia often attempt to purge to compensate for the calories consumed and to relieve gut discomfort. Common purging behaviors include forced vomiting, fasting, laxatives, diuretics, enemas, and excessive exercise.

Related: Diet Culture & Social media: The Impact on Body Image

How do you know if you have an eating disorder?

Different types of eating disorders have different symptoms, but each condition involves an extreme focus on issues related to food and eating, and some involve an extreme focus on weight. This preoccupation with food and weight may make it hard to focus on other aspects of life. People with eating disorders can have a variety of symptoms such as severe restriction of food, food binges, and purging behaviors like vomiting or overexercising. Being aware of the warning signs and symptoms can help you detect an eating disorder early and decide whether you need to seek help.

The 5 most common behaviors among people with eating disorders

• Frequent dieting or fad diets
• Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, and dieting
• Skipping meals or refusing to eat certain food groups
• Frequently checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance
• Behaviors and attitudes that indicate that weight loss, dieting, and control over food are becoming primary concerns

Important: If these symptoms resonate with you and you think you or a loved one may have an eating disorder, it’s important to reach out to a medical professional for help.

Treatment options

Eating disorder treatment plans are specifically tailored to each person. As a result, what works for one person might not work for another. It’s important to seek treatment early for eating disorders, as the risk of medical complications and suicide is high. There are several treatment options, some of which include

• Talk therapy as well as regular health checks with a physician.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals recognize and change unhealthy patterns
• Nutritional counseling
• Meal planning and prepping

Related: Meal Prepping for Beginners: In Just 3 Easy Steps

My eating disorder journey (Preview)

My eating disorder began when I was in my final high school year. Before my journey to recovery, I had struggled with the eating disorder for close to 10 years. It wasn’t until last year that I became fully aware that I had an actual problem that had been severely impacting my quality of life over the years. My eating disorder was triggered by bullying and body shaming I had experienced over the years, and the social media realm made it worse.

Related: Diet Culture & Social Media: The Impact on Body Image

What I found helps me most in my recovery is planning and prepping my meals in advance. The reason being, that when my eating disorder was at its peak, I’d find myself constantly obsessing over food portions, calories, and carbs so much that I was constantly thinking about food throughout the day. It even got to an extent I was weighing myself multiple times a day and the slightest increase in my body weight, even as little as half a kilogram would make me feel like my world was falling apart … Want to know all about my journey and what’s been helping me win my battle? Then be on the lookout for my next blog post

The bottom line

Recovering from an eating disorder can be difficult. If you or someone you know is trying to overcome an eating disorder, you might find that other physical and emotional issues can come up during the process....and that's okay. Making the decision to start your eating disorder recovery might feel scary or overwhelming, but seeking help from medical professionals, nutritionists, and your loved ones can make recovery easier.

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