Information on eating disorders, what are they exactly? Eating disorders in general is mainly considered to be a psychological issue. It is generally believed, that the majority of eating disorders began as a mental aspect. The person desires to achieve a preconceived ideal, of a body image, and often will use food or lack thereof, as a means of personal control.

The person tends to use self-imposed limitations on eating, as a means of control, such as with the disease Anorexia nervosa. The person, who suffers from this eating disorder, generally has a very disciplined and rigid attitude towards food. The Bulimia nervosa sufferer, on the other hand, tends to have periods in which they show no control during their bingeing periods, eating massive amounts of food in a relatively short period of time. The discipline and control comes after these bingeing periods when all food is eliminated by any means necessary.

There are several types of eating disorders beginning with the most common that is known Anorexia Nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is a term that means lack of a appetite, although that is a bit misleading, as most people who are affected by this disorder, still have an appetite but through determination and discipline, they choose to ignore their appetite and deny their bodies food.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that has characterized by repeated cycle of eating as much as possible and with massive amounts of food and then purging it from the body as soon as possible. Bulimia nervosa can be much harder to detect at least within the beginning stages as weight loss is not is rapid compared to anorexia nervosa.

The binge eating disorder involves repetitive episodes of eating excessive amounts of food even when not hungry. Often following an episode, they will begin a long period of time such as several months in which they will restrict food. The majority of people who suffer from this disorder unlike the other two previous mentioned, are considered to be overweight and normally suffer from obesity.

Exercise addiction is mentioned here as this is normally connected with both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Exercise addiction often is seen in connection with the eating disorders in which the person is involved with athletics such as; dancers, gymnasts and so on, because of the sports standard, of what an ideal body image is within these fields. 

There are other eating disorders that do not fall within any classified diagnosis that is currently available. People, who would fall within this category, have symptoms that can run the entire gamut, but commonly it refers to disordered eating and unhealthy weight management.  Those who fall within this category generally receive the diagnosis of “eating disorder not otherwise specified.”

Eating disorders in general, are very hard to diagnose and to treat. The very nature of most eating disorders, then to be carefully guarded secrets by those who are suffering from one. Nearly every aspect of an eating disorder is surrounded in secrecy, making it at least within the early stages, very difficult to detect.