Eating Disorders - Introduction

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Patients with this condition are often characterized as anorexia restrictors or anorexic bulimic patients. Each type is equally common.

• Anorexia restrictors reduce their weight by severe dieting.
• Anorexic bulimic patients maintain emaciation by purging. Although both types are serious, the bulimic type, which imposes additional stress on an undernourished body, is the more damaging.

Binge Eating (Binge Eating Disorder)

Bingeing without purging is characterized as compulsive overeating (binge eating) with the absence of bulimic behaviors, such as vomiting or laxative abuse (used to eliminate calories). Binge eating usually leads to becoming overweight.

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To be diagnosed as a binge eater, a patient typically:

• Consumes 5,000 - 15,000 calories in one sitting
• Eats three meals a day plus frequent snacks
• Overeats continually throughout the day, rather than simply consuming large amounts of food during binges

Treatment for binge eating is usually similar to treatment for bulimia. Since binge eating is often associated with obesity, it may also require weight and dietary management. [For more information, see In-Depth Report #53: Weight control and diet.]

Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified

A fourth category called eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) is used to describe eating disorders not specifically defined as anorexia or bulimia. This category includes:

• Infrequent binge-purge episodes (occurring less than twice a week or having such behavior for less than months)
• Repeated chewing and spitting without swallowing large amounts of food
• Normal weight and anorexic behavior

Such patients tend to be older at diagnosis. Although less serious than other eating disorders, these patients still face similar health problems, including a higher risk for fractures and other conditions.

Review Date: 02/18/2011
Reviewed By: David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital; and David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).