When people read the phrase “eating disorders,” most would immediately link with binge eating, or overeating. But overeating is simply an aspect of the bigger problem. In fact, there are many eating disorders that afflicts many individuals. The medical community have identified the most common disorders, which are listed below:

1. Bulimia Nervosa
More prevalent among young females than young men, bulimia nervosa involves a massive craving for food where the patient devours more food than the body really needs. However, after the person is full, she feels guilty and forces out the food through vomiting, self-administration of enemas or laxatives, or even starving herself. The result is a constant cycle of renewed hunger and starvation, which upsets the body’s digestive system.

2. Anorexia Nervosa
This is a very serious and potentially deadly eating disorder. The patient starves herself from fear of gaining extra weight or becoming fat even though she is below her normal weight. She usually refuses to eat sufficient food and is obsessed with exercising to stay fit. Lacking nutrients, the patient’s body slowly gives out. Anorexia nervosa affects more females than males.

3. Binge Eating
Very common in Western countries, binge eating disorder (BED) involves devouring more than needed. People usually overeat as an escape from the pains of stress, anxiety, depression, frustrations, unhappiness, and other strong emotions.

4. Orthorexia Nervosa
Rarer than the above eating disorders, orthorexia nervosa is the maddening impulse to eat only the “proper” food at the “proper” amount. Eating healthy food is good, but obsession to only eat what is considered healthy and not eating anything else is not. In fact, specialists said that it is even helpful to reward yourself with an ice cream, cake, french fries from time to time.

Worse, the treatment is tricky. People suffering from orthorexia consider medicines as impure or unnatural and will refuse taking them.

For more details about eating disorders and ways to treat them, get in touch with Charter Day Care or check out their website.