Eating Disorders – Definitions, Distinctions, and Misconceptions
Not everyone who struggles with food fits the mold people expect. The signs aren’t always obvious, and the experiences don’t always line up with a textbook definition. But that doesn’t make these challenges any less real, or any less serious. I’ve had countless conversations with individuals who felt like they were “not sick enough” to get help. The truth is, eating disorders come in many forms, and all of them deserve attention. In this blog, I’ll walk you through some of the most common questions I’ve heard over the years in my work as a dietitian. I hope it helps bring a little clarity and maybe even a bit of comfort.
Anorexia
Is There a Difference Between Anorexia and Anorexia Nervosa?
People often use “anorexia” to refer to appetite loss in general, but “anorexia nervosa” is a distinct and severe mental health condition. Anorexia nervosa is not just about wanting to be thin; this eating disorder can combine a need for control with anxiety and deep emotional distress around food and body image. Individuals can struggle with anorexia nervosa regardless of how they look; this illness doesn’t discriminate by size or shape.
Did You Know? There are other types of anorexia-related conditions, like anorexia-cachexia syndrome, which involves appetite loss from chronic illness.
Bulimia Nervosa
Is Bulimia the Same as Binge Eating Disorder?
Bulimia includes episodes of consuming large quantities of food, often quickly and secretly. What sets it apart from binge eating disorder is the follow-up, which includes purging, restricting, or pushing the body to extremes to try to “make up” for the eating.
As I just mentioned, these behaviors can be incredibly private. Many people with bulimia appear “fine” to others while dealing with intense shame and physical stress.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
What Makes BED Different From Overeating?
Binge eating disorder involves eating large amounts of food in a way that feels overwhelming or out of control. It’s not just about eating “too much”, which we all do from time to time. BED typically incorporates a strong emotional component, like guilt, numbness, or self-blame, felt afterward.
Unlike bulimia, there aren’t compensatory behaviors like purging after binge episodes.
Remember, if you ever feel trapped in a cycle with food, it’s not a lack of willpower. It’s a signal that you deserve support and compassion.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Is ARFID The Same as Picky Eating?
ARFID goes far beyond picky eating as it can cause significant disruptions in health, nutrition, and daily life. People with ARFID might avoid food because of sensory issues, past trauma, or fear of getting sick, not necessarily because of weight concerns.
Did You Know? ARFID commonly overlaps with conditions like anxiety, depression, or neurodivergence.
Struggling to eat enough doesn’t make you “dramatic” or “difficult.” There are real reasons and real ways to get support.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
What Makes OSFED Different From General Disordered Eating?
OSFED is a diagnosis for people who suffer from disordered eating patterns that don’t neatly fit into diagnoses like anorexia, bulimia, or BED. Some examples include purging without bingeing, or having all the signs of anorexia while still falling within a so-called “normal” weight range.
Not everything has a clear-cut diagnosis. The impact of OSFED is just as significant as other eating disorders, and this condition is equally deserving of treatment and support.
Disordered Eating
Is Disordered Eating a Normal Part of Living in Today’s Diet-Centered Culture?
While disordered eating refers to a wide range of abnormal eating behaviors that do not necessarily meet the criteria for a formal diagnosis, it still negatively affects physical and mental well-being.
In a society that’s become obsessed with dieting and body size, unhealthy relationships with food have become disturbingly common. Influencers and other media outlets are constantly labeling certain foods and ingredients as “bad” and criticizing or shaming people of certain body types. This has led a substantial number of people to develop disordered eating habits, especially in the US.
Pica
What Makes Pica Different Than a Craving?
Pica involves eating non-food items, such as paper, dirt, or chalk, whereas cravings involve eating food items like chocolate. This eating disorder is typically diagnosed after a month or more of continuing this habit. These urges may be linked to nutrient deficiencies, stress, or developmental conditions. Pica can lead to serious medical complications and is much more serious than a food craving.
Rumination Disorder
Is Rumination Disorder Genetic?
Rumination disorder involves regurgitating food after eating and can affect people of any age. It typically happens without nausea, which is part of what makes it so confusing and often misunderstood. Based on scientific data, rumination disorder is not currently considered a genetic disorder. It may be behavioral or developmental, sometimes linked to neglect, sensory processing issues, or learned patterns of behavior.
Orthorexia (not currently in the DSM)
Is Orthorexia Just “Healthy” Eating?
Orthorexia, or orthorexia nervosa, is an unhealthy obsession with eating in a way that’s considered “pure,” “clean,” or “healthy.” Unlike other eating disorders that often focus on weight or appearance, orthorexia is driven by a need for control, perfection, or safety through food choices.
Orthorexia often hides behind the idea of eating “the right way.” It doesn’t start with fear; it begins with “good” intentions. Maybe it’s cutting out sugar, skipping processed foods, or following a “clean” eating plan. However, over time, the rules accumulate. Foods that used to feel safe suddenly don’t. Meals turn into something stressful. A missed workout or a snack outside the usual plan brings on guilt or anxiety. Orthorexia isn’t about vanity; it’s about control disguised as health. When the goal of being healthy begins to take away your joy, your time with others, or your peace of mind, it’s worth looking at what’s really going on.
Night Eating Syndrome
How Is Night Eating Syndrome Different From Binge Eating Disorder?
With night eating syndrome (NES), most eating episodes happen late at night or shortly after waking, unlike binge eating disorder, which can occur at any time. NES often coincides with insomnia, depression, or anxiety. NES eating patterns may feel automatic, disrupting sleep and regular eating habits.
Purging Disorder
What Makes Purging Disorder Different From Bulimia?
Purging disorder involves purging behaviors like vomiting or laxative use without the binge episodes that are typical of bulimia. While the fear of gaining weight is still central, the eating patterns may appear more controlled. Purging disorder is often overlooked or misunderstood, but the health risks can be serious.
Getting the Support You Deserve
Food is a personal thing. It can be tied to memories, routines, stress, or identity. So, when your eating patterns start feeling off, it can be hard to know what to do next, or even what to call it. You don’t have to figure it out alone. If you want to talk through what’s been going on or just get a sense of whether this kind of support might help, feel free to schedule a discovery call. No scripts, no pressure, just a real conversation.