Eating Disorders Beyond Anorexia and Bulimia: Understanding ARFID, Binge Eating, and More

When people think of eating disorders, anorexia and bulimia often come to mind. However, several other eating disorders deserve attention as well, including Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Whatever the type, disordered eating causes significant distress, from being ashamed to eat in public to a horrible feeling of helplessness. In order to break harmful habits and begin to heal, you need to get to the root of the issue: mental health. 

Understanding ARFID 

Unlike anorexia, ARFID is not driven by body image concerns. Instead, individuals with ARFID will avoid certain foods due to texture, taste, or fear of negative consequences like choking. This can result in vitamin deficiencies, general malnutrition, and other health risks. 

Understanding Binge Eating Disorder 

BED is the most common eating disorder in the U.S. It involves consuming large amounts of food in a short period. BED and bulimia can go hand-in-hand, but BED on its own does not include purging behaviors. Those who suffer from BED will often be overweight, as the shame and helplessness related to disordered eating contributes to a negative mental state, which causes them to seek comfort in food once more. It’s a vicious cycle. 

Other Emerging Concerns Around Disordered Eating

We are constantly discovering new conditions. Orthorexia, an obsession with “clean eating,” has recently been recognized by mental health professionals. These patterns, while not always formally diagnosed, severely impact mental health and physical wellbeing. 

Therapy for Eating Disorders Can Help

Eating disorders take many forms, but all require compassionate support. If you or someone you love is struggling, eating disorder therapy may be a much-needed resource for you. At our practice, we pride ourselves on providing a safe, judgment-free space for individuals with eating disorders to receive tailored care. Give us a call today to get started!