Eating disorders and body image

Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, body dysmorphia and other struggles with food, weight and body image.

• Anorexia nervosaAnorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder in which a person restricts food, has an intense fear of gaining weight and sees their body or weight in a distorted way. It can affect people of any age, gender, body size or background, and it can have major medical consequences, but recovery is possible with early, specialized treatment.
• Binge eating disorderBinge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder in which a person regularly eats an unusually large amount of food in a short time while feeling a loss of control, followed by distress, shame or guilt. Unlike bulimia, binges are not regularly followed by purging. BED is a recognized, treatable condition, not a lack of willpower.
• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)Body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health condition in which a person is preoccupied with one or more perceived flaws in their appearance that others see as minor or don't notice at all. The worry leads to repetitive behaviors like mirror checking and causes significant distress. BDD is treatable with specialized therapy.
• Bulimia nervosaBulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person has repeated episodes of binge eating followed by behaviors to compensate, such as vomiting, misusing laxatives, fasting or exercising excessively. It is often hidden, because people with bulimia may have an average weight. Bulimia is serious, but it is treatable and many people recover fully.
• Eating disordersEating disorders are serious mental health conditions marked by persistent disturbances in eating behavior and in thoughts and feelings about food, weight or body shape. They include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and ARFID, among others. Eating disorders can affect anyone, at any age, size or gender, and they can harm physical health, but recovery is possible with the right treatment.
• Emotional eatingEmotional eating is eating in response to feelings rather than physical hunger, often to soothe stress, sadness, anxiety, loneliness or boredom. Almost everyone does it sometimes, and comfort eating now and then is not a problem. It becomes a concern when food is your main way of coping, when it leaves you feeling guilty or out of control, or when it affects your health.