Which sign or symptom is commonly associated with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa?
Although the term “eating” is in the name, eating disorders are about more than food. They’re complex mental health conditions that often require the intervention of medical and psychological experts to alter their course. Show These disorders are described in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) (1). In the United States alone, an estimated 28 million Americans have or have had an eating disorder at some point in their life (2). This article describes six of the most common types of eating disorders and their symptoms. Eating disorders are a range of psychological conditions that cause unhealthy eating habits to develop. They might start with an obsession with food, body weight, or body shape (3). In severe cases, eating disorders can cause serious health consequences and may even result in death if left untreated. In fact, eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses, second to opioid overdose (4). People with eating disorders can have a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms include severe restriction of food, food binges, and purging behaviors like vomiting or overexercising. Although eating disorders can affect people of any gender at any life stage, they’re increasingly common in men and gender nonconforming people. These populations often seek treatment at lower rates or may not report their eating disorder symptoms at all (5, 6). Different types of eating disorders have different symptoms, but each condition involves an extreme focus on issues related to food and eating, and some involve an extreme focus on weight. This preoccupation with food and weight may make it hard to focus on other aspects of life (3). Mental and behavioral signs may include (7):
Physical signs may include (7):
Experts believe that a variety of factors may contribute to eating disorders. One of these is genetics. People who have a sibling or parent with an eating disorder seem to be at an increased risk of developing one (3). Personality traits are another factor. In particular, neuroticism, perfectionism, and impulsivity are three personality traits often linked to a higher risk of developing an eating disorder, according to a 2015 research review (8). Other potential causes include perceived pressures to be thin, cultural preferences for thinness, and exposure to media promoting these ideals (8). More recently, experts have proposed that differences in brain structure and biology may also play a role in the development of eating disorders. In particular, levels of the brain messaging chemicals serotonin and dopamine may be factors (9). However, more studies are needed before strong conclusions can be made. Eating disorders are a group of related conditions involving extreme food and weight issues, but each disorder has unique symptoms and diagnosis criteria. Here are six of the most common eating disorders and their symptoms. Anorexia nervosa is likely the most well-known eating disorder. It generally develops during adolescence or young adulthood and tends to affect more women than men (10 ). People with anorexia generally view themselves as overweight, even if they’re dangerously underweight. They tend to constantly monitor their weight, avoid eating certain types of foods, and severely restrict their calorie intake. Common symptoms of anorexia nervosa include (1):
However, it’s important to note that weight should not be the major focus of diagnosing someone with anorexia. Using body mass index as a factor in diagnosis is outdated because people who are categorized as “normal” or “overweight” can have the same risks. In atypical anorexia, for example, a person may meet the criteria for anorexia but not be underweight despite significant weight loss (7). Obsessive-compulsive symptoms are also often present. For instance, many people with anorexia are preoccupied with constant thoughts about food, and some may obsessively collect recipes or hoard food. They may also have difficulty eating in public and exhibit a strong desire to control their environment, limiting their ability to be spontaneous (3). Anorexia is officially categorized into two subtypes — the restricting type and the binge eating and purging type (1). Individuals with the restricting type lose weight solely through dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise. Individuals with the binge eating and purging type may binge on large amounts of food or eat very little. In both cases, after they eat, they purge using activities such as vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, or exercising excessively. Anorexia can be very damaging to the body. Over time, individuals living with it may experience thinning of their bones, infertility, and brittle hair and nails. In severe cases, anorexia can result in heart, brain, or multi-organ failure and death. Bulimia nervosa is another well-known eating disorder. Like anorexia, bulimia tends to develop during adolescence and early adulthood and appears to be less common among men than women (10). People with bulimia frequently eat unusually large amounts of food in a specific period of time. Each binge eating episode usually continues until the person becomes painfully full. During a binge, the person usually feels that they cannot stop eating or control how much they are eating. Binges can happen with any type of food but most commonly occur with foods the individual would usually avoid. Individuals with bulimia then attempt to purge to compensate for the calories consumed and to relieve gut discomfort. Common purging behaviors include forced vomiting, fasting, laxatives, diuretics, enemas, and excessive exercise. Symptoms may appear very similar to those of the binge eating or purging subtypes of anorexia nervosa. However, individuals with bulimia usually maintain a relatively typical weight rather than losing a large amount of weight. Common symptoms of bulimia nervosa include (1):
Side effects of bulimia may include an inflamed and sore throat, swollen salivary glands, worn tooth enamel, tooth decay, acid reflux, irritation of the gut, severe dehydration, and hormonal disturbances (11). In severe cases, bulimia can also create an imbalance in levels of electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. This can cause a stroke or heart attack. Binge eating disorder is the most prevalent form of eating disorder and one of the most common chronic illnesses among adolescents (12). It typically begins during adolescence and early adulthood, although it can develop later on. Individuals with this disorder have symptoms similar to those of bulimia or the binge eating subtype of anorexia. For instance, they typically eat unusually large amounts of food in relatively short periods of time and feel a lack of control during binges. People with binge eating disorder do not restrict calories or use purging behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise, to compensate for their binges (12). Common symptoms of binge eating disorder include (11):
People with binge eating disorder often consume an excessive amount of food and may not make nutritious food choices. This may increase their risk of medical complications such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes (13). Pica is an eating disorder that involves eating things that are not considered food and that do not provide nutritional value (14). Individuals with pica crave non-food substances such as ice, dirt, soil, chalk, soap, paper, hair, cloth, wool, pebbles, laundry detergent, or cornstarch (11). Pica can occur in adults, children, and adolescents. It is most frequently seen in individuals with conditions that affect daily functioning, including intellectual disabilities, developmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, and mental health conditions such as schizophrenia (14). Individuals with pica may be at an increased risk of poisoning, infections, gut injuries, and nutritional deficiencies. Depending on the substances ingested, pica may be fatal. However, for the condition to be considered pica, the eating of non-food substances must not be a typical part of someone’s culture or religion. In addition, it must not be considered a socially acceptable practice by a person’s peers. Rumination disorder is another newly recognized eating disorder. It describes a condition in which a person regurgitates food they have previously chewed and swallowed, re-chews it, and then either re-swallows it or spits it out (15). This rumination typically occurs within the first 30 minutes after a meal (16). This disorder can develop during infancy, childhood, or adulthood. In infants, it tends to develop between 3 and 12 months of age and often disappears on its own. Children and adults with the condition usually require therapy to resolve it. If not resolved in infants, rumination disorder can result in weight loss and severe malnutrition that can be fatal. Adults with this disorder may restrict the amount of food they eat, especially in public. This may lead them to lose weight and become underweight (16). Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a new name for an old disorder. The term has replaced the term “feeding disorder of infancy and early childhood,” a diagnosis previously reserved for children under age 7 (17). Individuals with this disorder experience disturbed eating due to either a lack of interest in eating or a distaste for certain smells, tastes, colors, textures, or temperatures. Common symptoms of ARFID include (11):
It’s important to note that ARFID goes beyond common behaviors such as picky eating in toddlers or lower food intake in older adults. Moreover, it does not include the avoidance or restriction of foods due to lack of availability or religious or cultural practices. In addition to the six eating disorders above, other less known or less common eating disorders also exist. These include (18):
One disorder that may currently fall under OSFED is orthorexia. Although orthorexia is increasingly mentioned in the media and in scientific studies, the DSM does not yet recognize it as a separate eating disorder (19). Individuals with orthorexia tend to have an obsessive focus on healthy eating to an extent that disrupts their daily lives. They may compulsively check ingredient lists and nutritional labels and obsessively follow “healthy lifestyle” accounts on social media. Someone with this condition may eliminate entire food groups, fearing that they’re unhealthy. This can lead to malnutrition, severe weight loss, difficulty eating outside the home, and emotional distress. Individuals with orthorexia are rarely focused on losing weight. Instead, their self-worth, identity, or satisfaction is dependent on how well they comply with their self-imposed diet rules (19). If you have an eating disorder, identifying the condition and seeking treatment sooner will improve your chances of recovering. Being aware of the warning signs and symptoms can help you decide whether you need to seek help. Not everyone will have every sign or symptom at once, but certain behaviors may signal a problem, such as (20):
If these symptoms resonate with you and you think you may have an eating disorder, it’s important to reach out to a medical professional for help. Making the decision to start eating disorder recovery might feel scary or overwhelming, but seeking help from medical professionals, eating disorder recovery support groups, and your community can make recovery easier. If you’re not sure where to start, you can contact the National Eating Disorders Association helpline for support, resources, and treatment options for yourself or someone you know. To contact, call: (800) 931-2237 Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–9 p.m. ET Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. ET Text: (800) 931-2237 Monday–Thursday 3 p.m.–6 p.m. ET Friday 1 p.m.–5 p.m. ET Eating disorder treatment plans are specifically tailored to each person and may include a combination of multiple therapies. Treatment will usually involve talk therapy, as well as regular health checks with a physician (21). It’s important to seek treatment early for eating disorders, as the risk of medical complications and suicide is high (11). Treatment options include:
If you think someone in your life has an eating disorder, your best bet is to support and encourage them to seek help from a healthcare professional. This can be extremely difficult for someone living with an eating disorder, but supporting them in other ways will help them feel cared for and encouraged in their recovery. Recovering from an eating disorder can take a long time, and this person may have periods of relapsing into old behaviors, especially during times of stress. If you’re close to this person, it’s important to be there for them, and be patient, throughout their recovery (21). Ways to support someone with an eating disorder include (21):
The categories above are meant to provide a better understanding of the most common eating disorders and dispel myths about them. Eating disorders are mental health conditions that usually require treatment. They can also be damaging to the body if left untreated. If you have an eating disorder or know someone who might have one, you can seek help from a healthcare professional who specializes in eating disorders. You can book an appointment with an eating disorder specialist in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool. Read this article in Spanish. What are 3 warning signs of bulimia?Episodes of binge eating. Self-induced vomiting. Smelling like vomit. Misuse of laxatives and diuretics.
Which of these is associated with bulimia nervosa?Bulimia is frequently associated with other mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder and problems with drugs or alcohol. There is also a higher risk of suicide and self-harm.
Which classic characteristic is common among patients diagnosed with bulimia nervosa?Bulimia nervosa, often referred to as bulimia, is one of the most common eating disorders. It's usually characterized by its most classic symptoms of bingeing and purging.
What is the hallmark symptom of bulimia nervosa?The hallmark sign for bulimia nervosa is a distorted view of food and eating. Patients with this condition often maintain a normal or above-normal weight. Purging can present outwardly via sialadenosis, dental enamel erosion, and calloused middle phalanges.
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