Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by significantly low body weight, restriction of food intake, ongoing behavior related to an intense fear of gaining weight, and a disturbance in self-perceived weight or shape. There are two types of anorexia nervosa – the restricting type, in which weight loss is achieved by restricting food intake and/or excessive exercise, and the binge-eating/purging type, in which the individual engages in recurrent episodes of binge eating or purging behavior.

Binge-Eating Disorder is characterized by episodes in which an individual eats an excessive amount of food relative to what others would eat in that time period. Additionally, the person feels a lack of control over their food-intake behavior during these episodes.

Bulimia Nervosa is diagnosed in individuals who demonstrate recurrent episodes of binge eating, marked or sustained dietary restrictions as well as behaviors designed to prevent weight gain, and self-evaluation that is disproportionately influenced by body weight and shape.