6. Orthorexia Nervosa: Obsession with Healthy Eating
Orthorexia nervosa is one of the eating disorders people are not generally familiar with. With Orthorexia, a person is obsessed with eating the right foods.
People with orthorexia nervosa can go so far as to classify foods as healthy and unhealthy. It is very common for people with the disorder to avoid unhealthy foods and to be fixated on the nutritional value of the foods they eat to the point where taste no longer matters.
7. Pica: Consuming Non-Nutritional Substances
Pica is an eating disorder which is characterized by someone having an appetite for non-nutritional substances. People with pica often have a physical craving for things such as ice, sand, dirt, chalk or clay. There is no definitive test which is used to diagnose pica, but doctors will generally test the blood for lead, iron and zinc levels. A healthcare practitioner should also check for infections and parasites if a person has been consuming dirt or animal waste.
8. Rumination Syndrome: Chewing and Spitting Out Food
Rumination syndrome is a condition in which people repeatedly chew and spit up food from the stomach, chew it once more and swallow it again or spit it out.
Rumination is a reflexive action and not a conscious decision. The precise cause of rumination syndrome is unknown, but it can happen in children, adolescents and adults. The side effects of rumination syndrome can cause damage to the esophagus and result in unhealthy weight loss.
9. Drunkorexia: Starving the Body and Alcohol Abuse
Drunkorexia is a slang term which refers to a behavioral pattern of starving oneself throughout the day and then binging on food and alcohol later in the evening.
The condition is a combination eating disorder and binge drinking. The reoccurrence of drunkorexia can lead to serious health issues, which are related to both unhealthy eating and drinking patterns.
10. What are eating disorders not otherwise specified or ED-NOS?
There are literally dozens of eating disorders and many are classified as “eating disorders not otherwise specified.” The term is used to describe the eating disorders people have which do not meet the diagnostic criteria set forth in medical guidelines.
These individuals may have a myriad of symptoms which are present with different eating disorders, but could otherwise appear to be healthy. The medical community is researching eating disorders further, to allow for better diagnosis and treatment for people who have these types of unclassified conditions.
What is the long-term prognosis for an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are very serious and should be treated as such. Because an eating disorder is so complex, it is very hard to predict the outcome someone will have. In order to recover from an eating disorder of any kind, it is important to receive medical attention and to follow the treatment plan prescribed by the specialists who are overseeing a person’s care and recovery.
Eating Disorder Awareness Video
