What are feeding and eating disorders?

These conditions are characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating or eating-related behavior that results in altered consumption or absorption of food, significant impairment in physical health, or significant impairment in psychosocial functioning. They span a wide range of presentations—from severe food restriction to episodes of binge eating—and they affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Types of feeding and eating disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Characterized by persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of one's body weight or shape. Anorexia has serious medical consequences and carries one of the highest mortality rates of any mental health condition. There are two subtypes: restricting type (limiting food intake) and binge-eating/purging type (episodes of binge eating or purging alongside restriction).

Bulimia Nervosa

Involves recurrent episodes of binge eating—consuming a large amount of food in a short period with a sense of loss of control—followed by compensatory behaviors intended to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise. Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight. Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia are often within a normal weight range, which can make the condition less visible.

Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)

The most common eating disorder. BED involves recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food rapidly, to the point of discomfort, often in secret, and accompanied by feelings of shame, distress, or guilt. Unlike bulimia, there are no regular compensatory behaviors afterward. Episodes are associated with eating much more rapidly than normal, eating until uncomfortably full, or eating when not physically hungry.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

A condition in which eating is severely limited—not because of body image concerns, but due to sensory sensitivities (texture, smell, appearance), a fear of choking or vomiting, or a general lack of interest in food. ARFID results in significant weight loss or nutritional deficiency, reliance on supplements or tube feeding, or marked interference with daily life. It commonly presents in childhood but can persist into adulthood.

Pica

Persistent eating of non-food substances—such as soil, clay, paper, chalk, or ice—that have no nutritional value. To meet the criteria, the behavior must be developmentally inappropriate, not culturally sanctioned, and severe enough to warrant clinical attention. Pica can occur alongside other conditions, including intellectual disabilities and pregnancy.

Rumination Disorder

Repeated regurgitation of food—not due to a medical condition such as reflux—that occurs for at least one month. The regurgitated food may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spat out. Rumination disorder can occur in infants, children, adolescents, and adults, and when severe can lead to malnutrition or significant weight loss.

A note on diagnosis

The three most common eating disorders—anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder—are mutually exclusive diagnoses. During a single episode, only one of these can be assigned, even though they share some psychological and behavioral features. They differ substantially in clinical course, outcome, and treatment needs, which is why accurate diagnosis matters.

Signs and symptoms

Eating disorders can look very different depending on the type, but common warning signs across conditions include:

Dramatic changes in eating habits, food avoidance, or rituals around eating
Preoccupation with food, weight, calories, or body shape
Eating in secret or feeling intense shame around eating
Disappearing to the bathroom after meals
Noticeable weight loss, gain, or fluctuation
Fatigue, dizziness, fainting, or difficulty concentrating
Physical signs such as swollen cheeks, calluses on knuckles, or dental erosion (associated with purging)
Withdrawal from social activities, especially those involving food

Eating disorders and substance use

Some people with eating disorders report symptoms that resemble those in substance use disorders—such as craving and patterns of compulsive behavior. This resemblance may reflect the involvement of overlapping neural systems, including those associated with self-regulation and reward processing. The shared and distinct contributions between eating disorders and substance use disorders are an active area of research.

What helps

Eating disorders are serious but treatable. Early intervention leads to better outcomes. Common approaches include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—particularly effective for bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, targeting the thoughts and behaviors that maintain the disorder
Family-Based Treatment (FBT)—the leading evidence-based approach for adolescents with anorexia nervosa, involving the family as a central part of recovery
Medical stabilization—addressing the physical complications of malnutrition or purging, which may require inpatient or intensive outpatient care
Nutritional rehabilitation—working with a dietitian to restore healthy eating patterns and, where needed, a healthy weight
Medication—certain antidepressants are effective for bulimia nervosa and BED; medication plays a supporting role alongside therapy

Treatment is most effective when it addresses the psychological, nutritional, and medical dimensions of the disorder together. A multidisciplinary team approach is often recommended.

When to seek help

If you recognize these patterns in yourself or someone you care about, reaching out early makes a real difference. Eating disorders are among the most medically serious mental health conditions, and waiting often makes recovery harder. A GP or mental health professional can help assess what's going on and point you toward appropriate support.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (available 24/7 in the U.S.) — for those whose eating disorder is accompanied by thoughts of self-harm.

Feeding & Eating Disorders