by Anne Mace

“Okay everybody, masks off!”

I read this sentence in the book Dropping Your Guard, and it made me so angry. Angry at the reality of the statement. How dare the author accuse me of being fake! He doesn’t know me! He must not be talking to me.

Further on through the book (which I highly recommend reading), I realized he was talking directly to me. While the book did not talk about types of eating disorders, or the pain and shame associated with them – the principles are one in the same.

For many women battling different types of eating disorders, the shame and pain are all too real. Trying to get better is frustrating because more often than not, the desire to get better and the actual time required are no easy fix. Recognizing the need to heal can only surface once the disorder is actually admitted.

Women with different types of eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes – ethnicities, backgrounds, income levels. There is no “safe” zone for women with eating disorders. So what are the different types of eating disorders, and how do you recognize symptoms in yourself or loved ones?

Most Common Disorders

The two most commonly recognized types of eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa – AN – is the eating disorder most often categorized by a refusal to maintain a minimum acceptable weight.  There are two types of AN – one is restricting and the other is a binge/purge.

In the restricting type of AN, the individual often keeps their weight low by refusing to eat enough calories to maintain a healthy weight, often times eliminating high fat/ high carb foods and meats. In the binge/purge type the individual often still restrict their food intake but also have episodes of the binge/purge.

Bulimia Nervosa – BN – is the eating disorder characterized by a series of binge/purge episodes or other means in which to keep weight in check.

“Unlike simple overeating, the hallmark feature of a binge is feeling out of control.” (NAMI).  Like AN, there are two types of BN – one is the purging, and the other is use of fasting or excessive exercise with less purging.

To be clinically diagnosed with Bulimia, the individual will have had two binge eating episodes per week for at least three months.

Signs and Symptoms

Bulimia is generally harder to diagnose, as the binge episodes are done in secret and usually rapidly.

Common signs and symptoms of Anorexia include:

• Preoccupation with food
• Refusal to maintain minimal normal body weight Thinking that you’re fat even when rail thin
• Brittle nails and hair
• Dry and yellowing of skin
• Hypothermia or complaining of cold
• Lanugo – development of fine body hair
• Ritualistic eating habits – cutting food into tiny pieces, refusing to eat in front of people
• Absence of a menstrual cycle – amenorrhea

Common signs and symptoms of BN include:

• Constant concern about food and weight
• Erosion of dental enamel
• Scarring on backs of hands
• Some will experience a swelling of glands near the cheeks
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Decreased sexual interest
• Depressed moods
• Frequent complaints of sore throats and abdominal pain

Are there other eating disorders?

Other types of eating disorders exist in a wide variety. Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified is the largest diagnosed types of eating disorders. In the next article, I’ll discuss what’s considered an eating disorder and the difference in disordered eating.

Treatments

There are a million ways to skin a cat and a million different ways to get help. Depending on the severity of the eating disorder, most can be completed outpatient. There are however many residential facilities proving to be beneficial. My recommendation is to seek out a specialist who treats the disorder. A bad referral can actually make the different types of disorders worse.

If you suffer from an eating disorder, remember, the disorder itself is only one of the many aspects to consider in treatment. Oftentimes, other physical side effects are present as effects of the eating disorder. Full blood work will be in order to ensure that your body is functioning properly. Most times, a team of individuals can help — as long as they know the real issue at hand.

Sadly, the treatment for all types of eating disorders never truly discontinues. Most individuals learn to live with the restrictions and lead happy healthy lives. However, the road is never easy. The good news is – help is available!

You can live a happy and healthy life – one free of the shame and pain of all types of eating disorders.

References:
NAMI

About Anne:

Anne Mace is currently in the process of obtaining her MS in Kinesiology and Health with an emphasis in the Female Athlete Triad.