Eating Disorder Definitions

Let’s take a moment to look at some eating disorder definitions.  While everyone probably has an idea of what eating disorders are, sometimes the actual definitions of eating disorders aren’t well understood.  Here are the three most common eating disorder definitions.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a condition in which someone goes on a strict diet, consuming very few calories, and loses an extreme amount of weight.  People with anorexia usually believe they are overweight, even when they really aren’t.  Without treatment, anorexia nervosa can be fatal.

People with anorexia are often perfectionists.  They hold unreasonably high standards for themselves.  They often focus on the needs of others while ignoring their own needs.  They may feel a lack of control over their own lives and seek to control their food intake because that is something they can in fact control.  Focusing obsessively on weight loss and counting calories can be a way to block out difficult emotions.  In addition, people with anorexia often have poor self-esteem.

If someone you know matches these eating disorder definitions, you should encourage him or her to speak to a doctor or therapist.  Unfortunately, people with anorexia often deny that they have a disorder and refuse treatment.  Treatment is critical, though; people with this condition rarely recover without comprehensive treatment including both mental health treatment and medical care.

Bulimia Nervosa

When talking about the definitions of eating disorders, it’s important to understand that bulimia nervosa is a different disorder than anorexia nervosa, but it can also be very serious.  People with bulimia periodically binge on food (eating a large amount at one time), then purge (make themselves throw up the food or do something else to get rid of it).  The amount of food people with bulimia eat when they binge varies greatly.  Some might only consume 1000 calories during a binge, while others might consume 10,000 calories.  In addition to throwing up, people with bulimia might purge by take diuretics (water pills) or laxatives, by using enemas or by exercising excessively.

Like people with anorexia, people with bulimia often suffer from poor self-esteem.  They often put the needs of others before their own needs.  They may use food to comfort themselves as well as to block out uncomfortable emotions.  However, they may feel guilty after a binge and feel the need to purge.  Purging can also be a way to release feelings.  Note that with all definitions of eating disorders, people have similar emotional struggles.

People with bulimia need professional help just like people with anorexia.  If you know someone that matches these eating disorder definitions, encourage him or her to talk to a doctor or therapist.

Compulsive Eating

When talking about the definitions of eating disorders, compulsive eating may be the least well understood.  Compulsive eaters eat compulsively; they eat much more food then they need to satisfy hunger and feel unable to stop eating.  They are often significantly overweight.  They generally use food to cope with emotions.  Eating soothes them, relieves stress and drives away uncomfortable emotions.

People that suffer from compulsive eating often try various diets and may lose significant amounts of weight, but usually regain any weight lost within a short period of time.  “Yo-yo dieting,” as it is sometimes referred to, can wreak havoc on the metabolism and cause other medical problems. 

While eating disorder definitions of conditions like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are more easily recognized by health care professionals, some don’t seem to recognize compulsive eating or understand the seriousness of it.  People with the condition need medical, psychological and nutritional counseling just like people with other eating disorders.  The very definitions of eating disorders indicate that all can be deadly if not treated.