Eating disorder articles
Explore our curated library for reliable, current, and medically-reviewed insights on eating disorders, related mental health conditions, treatments, and beyond.
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Anorexia and the kidneys
Those who struggle with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) often develop...
Anorexia joint pain, muscle, bone and body aches
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder that affects both the...
Can anorexia cause IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)?
Research highlights the increased prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in those suffering from an...
Anorexia and hypermetabolism
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a mental health condition, but the eating disorder nearly always has an outsized...
Anorexia and lower back pain
Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) live with an intense fear of gaining...
Anorexia and gastroparesis
Gastroparesis (literally meaning “stomach paralysis”) is a condition that affects the muscles that move...
Anorexia and cachexia
Cachexia, meaning "bad body" or "poor physical state" in Greek, is a very serious, complex condition that...
Anorexia and constipation
Constipation, or not being able to pass stool regularly or completely, is a fairly common condition that...
Why we should avoid labeling food as good or bad
Have you ever referred to certain foods as “bad” or “good?” Maybe you say things...
Why body weight isn’t an indicator of health
In an age overrun by diet culture, it may be easy to believe that someone's body weight, shape, and size...
What not to say to someone with an eating disorder
When someone you care about has an eating disorder, you may want to help and...
What is radical self-love?
Loving yourself is one of the most radical acts you can do in a society that places...
What is “normal” eating, and why is it important?
“Normal” eating is just as it sounds—it’s a pattern of food consumption that is enjoyable and intuitive...
What is intuitive eating?
Intuitive eating is an eating practice that involves listening to your body’s hunger...
Food cravings: How wanting certain foods impacts the way we eat
Food cravings are extremely common. Whether pining for a home-cooked favorite, dreaming of dessert, or...
What is health at every size?
Health at Every Size (HAES) is an alternative approach to healthcare that proposes a weight-inclusive model.
What causes an eating disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective
Eating disorders are complex and severe psychiatric illnesses that can have many causes. The biopsychosocial..
The role of the care partner in ED recovery
Struggling with an eating disorder can be a lonely and isolating experience...
The racist history of fatphobia and weight stigma
Fatphobia and weight stigma are insidious forces in our society. They are responsible for many harmful...
The prevalence of eating disorders among college athletes
There are many benefits to being a college athlete. This group tends to report higher rates of physical...
The importance of family during eating disorder recovery
Eating disorders are complex and isolating conditions that impact not only individuals but also their...
The importance of community during eating disorder recovery
Often, stories of eating disorder recovery focus on the individual, what they have achieved, and how they...
The harmful effects of laxative abuse
Laxative abuse is characterized by the excessive use of laxatives with the...
Recognize exercise bulimia signs and symptoms
Exercise bulimia is perhaps a lesser-known eating disorder than anorexia...
How to talk to your children about food, eating habits, and bodies
Parenting can be challenging—physically, mentally, and emotionally. You want to give your children the...
Featured articles
What is binge eating disorder (BED)?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a mental health condition marked by frequent episodes of binge eating, or...
The importance of family during eating disorder recovery
Eating disorders are complex and isolating conditions that impact not only individuals but also their...
What is health at every size?
Health at Every Size (HAES) is an alternative approach to healthcare that proposes a weight-inclusive model.
Therapy for eating disorders
Overcoming an eating disorder can be a long and challenging journey. But there are many types of therapy...
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Anorexia
Do I have anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder that may manifest differently in different people and can...
Self-help for anorexia nervosa
With its ability to significantly impact a person's psychological and physical health, anorexia nervosa...
What is acute anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a dangerous mental health disorder that impacts the way people feel about their...
What causes anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex mental health disorder involving an extreme fear of gaining weight and...
What are the long term effects of anorexia nervosa?
In individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), some may experience its effects in the long term. Some of those...
The dangers of anorexiant diet pills
Anorexiant diet pills have increased dangers for those with an eating disorder. There...
Signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious illness that may manifest in several ways...
Is anorexia a disease?
The medical field is based on science, but while the facts derived from this world are often considered...
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Binge eating disorder
Why do I binge eat?
Binge eating is the act of consuming a large amount of food over a certain period of time. By most medical...
Why am I eating so much?
Anyone can have a complicated relationship with food, particularly in American culture...
What causes binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious mental health condition marked by episodes of binge eating, where...
Understanding the connection of dopamine and binge eating
Binge eating behaviors are a major aspect of several eating disorders, including binge eating disorder...
Signs and symptoms of binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated...
BED of low frequency and/or limited duration
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United...
What is binge eating disorder (BED)?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a mental health condition marked by frequent episodes of binge eating, or...
Binge eating disorder related to food insecurity
There are many known risk factors for eating disorders, such as a history...
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Body image
10 body image affirmations
Eating disorders are often recognized by their physical symptoms, but some of the most harmful aspects of...
Unrealistic beauty standards and body dysmorphic disorder treatment
While eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED)...
How to deal with and overcome body insecurity
Your body image is how you see your own body, and how you feel about what you perceive...
The racist history of fatphobia and weight stigma
Fatphobia and weight stigma are insidious forces in our society. They are responsible for many harmful...
The devastating effects of Instagram and body image
A recent study has revealed that social media apps, such as Instagram and...
Improving your body image in bulimia recovery
Improving body image is one of many individuals’ most challenging parts of bulimia...
How gender dysphoria affects body image
Gender dysphoria describes the sensation of feeling uneasy or uncomfortable with the difference between...
Healthism: When a focus on healthy living becomes problematic
Healthism refers to a set of attitudes and beliefs that health is the most important pursuit in life and...
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Bulimia
What is non-purging bulimia?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious eating disorder defined by cycles. People who struggle with this...
What causes bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious eating disorder that revolves around cycles of binge eating and purging...
Signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious mental health disorder, but the condition is often marked by a number of...
How to tell your loved ones you have bulimia
Telling your loved ones or family members that you struggle with bulimia nervosa (BN) can be a terrifying...
How to talk about bulimia nervosa
When you’re living with an eating disorder, like bulimia nervosa (BN), you can get...
How to stop bulimia
Bulimia nervosa is a complex eating disorder that often comes with feelings of...
What is bulimia nervosa (BN)?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder that affects between 0.5% and 1.5% of...
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Eating disorders
Is fasting an eating disorder?
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED) are...
What are the different types of eating disorders?
There are many different types of eating disorders, each with its own unique set of challenges in treatment.
Unpacking the fear of eating in front of others
For many of us, sharing meals with others or going out to eat are the primary ways we socialize and...
The differences between bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa (BN) and anorexia nervosa (AN) are two of the most well-known eating disorders, but many...
Bulimia vs binge eating: the differences between eating disorders
Bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) are two different eating disorders...
What causes an eating disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective
Eating disorders are complex and severe psychiatric illnesses that can have many causes. The biopsychosocial..
Signs a loved one may be at risk of an eating disorder relapse
Recovery is a lifelong process for those who have struggled or...
8 eating disorder myths
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED) are...
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Anorexia issues
Men with Anorexia: Symptoms, signs and treatment help
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a dangerous eating disorder that impacts all facets of mental, emotional, and...
Exercise bulimia vs. anorexia athletica
Many people know at least a little bit about eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia...
Do I have anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder that may manifest differently in different people and can...
Why does anorexia bloating occur?
While not an official medical term, “anorexia bloating” can be used to describe bloating that occurs as a...
Anorexia and bruising: Signs, causes, and healing
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a dangerous mental health condition, but it can also manifest in several physical...
What are the effects of anorexia on teeth and oral health?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) may be a mental health disorder, but it can have a number of physical consequences...
Mental health and physical medical complications of anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a dangerous eating disorder that affects all facets of someone's life, with the...
Yellow skin in anorexia nervosa: Jaundice symptoms
Anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and other eating disorders affect more than someone's mental...
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BED issues
What is binge eating, and how does it affect the body?
Binge eating is when a person eats a large amount of food quickly in one sitting...
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Bulimia issues
What is bulimia bloat?
Bulimia bloat is not a medical term, but it is frequently used to describe the distended (swollen) belly...
How bulimia can (permanently) affect your teeth
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious psychiatric disorder that involves frequent...
What are the complications of bulimia?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious eating disorder that can have a large impact on both mental and physical...
The relationship between bulimia, skin, and acne
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a mental health disorder, but the condition can also cause a number of physical...
Is there a relationship between bulimia, acid reflux, and GERD?
Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are medical conditions involving the movement of...
Is hair loss a symptom of bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder that can lead to many medical comp...
How bulimia affects the jaw: pain and swelling problems
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder that affects many parts of the body, incl...
How bulimia affects your period
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), binge eating disorder (BED), and bulimia nervosa (BN) may...
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Co-occurring disorders
How to stop anxiety eating
If you turn to food when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, you’re not...
Understanding depression and eating disorders
When someone enters treatment for an eating disorder, it is important they receive...
Treating ARFID and autism
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder that involves extreme picky eating...
The relationship between anxiety, depression, and overeating
Food is one of the most essential aspects of life, not only needed for survival, but involved deeply in...
The relationship between anorexia nervosa and anxiety disorders
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder in which individuals are concerned about...
The relationship between ADHD and binge eating disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorder (BED)...
How does OCD and eating disorders interact
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders are two distinctive conditions...
Food aversion and OCD
When we think of eating disorders, we often imagine someone who has anorexia nervosa...
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How to help
Women's eating disorder treatment
Women are statistically the most affected demographic when it comes to eating...
Treatment of eating disorder in teen girls
Eating disorders are serious conditions that can affect anyone at any age. How...
Eating disorder treatment programs for male teens
Eating disorders have long been thought of as problems exclusively affecting girls and women, but that...
Eating disorder treatment programs for men
Despite the misconception that eating disorders largely impact women and girls, the sad reality is that...
Eating disorder treatment programs for LGBTQIA+ people
Clinicians and researchers have long been aware of the occurrence of eating disorders, but studies on the...
How to help a friend with an eating disorder
If you're having the thought, "I think my friend has an eating disorder," but aren't sure what to do about...
Eating disorder treatment programs for children
Eating disorders among children are very serious, and can be potentially life...
How to help someone with an eating disorder
If you know someone who's struggling with an eating disorder, you may feel an array of emotions, from...
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Nutrition counseling
What is diet culture?
You’ve probably heard of the term “diet culture” if you’ve spent any time immersed in...
Nutrition counseling in the treatment of eating disorders
Nutrition counseling, also referred to as nutritional counseling, food counseling, or nutrition therapy...
Learning the intuitive eating principles
Hunger is one of the most natural feelings a person can experience, but outside factors frequently...
Is it bad to eat at night?
You might have heard that it’s somehow harmful to eat late at night. Diet culture...
Why we should avoid labeling food as good or bad
Have you ever referred to certain foods as “bad” or “good?” Maybe you say things...
What is intuitive eating?
Intuitive eating is an eating practice that involves listening to your body’s hunger...
Strategies for grocery shopping in eating disorder recovery
Recovering from an eating disorder is an ongoing process. Even after transitioning to a less intensive...
Is intermittent fasting disordered eating?
Intermittent fasting (IF) is a relatively popular diet regimen involving specific periods without eating.
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OSFED
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About other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)
Most people know about eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating...
What causes atypical anorexia nervosa?
Atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) is a serious eating disorder that shares many of...
Signs and symptoms of atypical bulimia nervosa
The diagnostic criteria for eating disorders are meant to help care providers understand when someone has...
Atypical anorexia nervosa symptoms
Atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) shares many of the same characteristics as anorexia...
What is purging disorder?
Purging disorder is an eating disorder that involves purging to lose weight or change...
What is night eating syndrome?
Night eating syndrome (NES) is a sleep-related eating disorder where a person eats more food at night than...
How to stop eating at night
Everyone has the occasional late-night dinner or midnight snack, but for some people, overeating at night...
What is atypical anorexia nervosa?
While atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) may share characteristics of anorexia nervosa...
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Self help
Self-help for anorexia nervosa
With its ability to significantly impact a person's psychological and physical health, anorexia nervosa...
Self-help and eating disorder treatment
The role of professional help in eating disorder recovery should not be discounted. Disordered eating...
Why you should ditch the “new year, new you” mentality
The turn of the year can bring on many emotions. It can feel like a time for releasing what's past or a...
How to thrive during the holidays while recovering from an eating disorder
The leaves are turning, the air's getting crisp, and the holiday season is just around the corner. While...
How to overcome shame in eating disorder recovery
Shame is extremely common among people struggling with eating disorders...
Tips about shopping for clothes in eating disorder recovery
Eating disorder recovery has many ups and downs, but one place people may not expect to get stuck is...
Can you exercise during eating disorder recovery?
In general, exercise is a great way to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being, but exercise...
Horticultural therapy: How gardening can aid in eating disorder recovery
Horticultural therapy, sometimes called "hortitherapy," is a type of experiential therapy where patients...
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Therapy
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Acceptance and commitment therapy for eating disorders
Eating disorders can take a serious and visible toll on the body, but the conditions are mental health...
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Interpersonal psychotherapy for eating disorders
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), binge eating disorder (BED), and bulimia nervosa (BN) can...
Emotion-focused therapy for eating disorders
Emotion-focused therapy (EFT), sometimes called emotionally-focused therapy, is a type of therapy that...
Experiential therapy for eating disorders
Experiential therapy is a form of insight-driven or action-based therapy that immerses a patient in an...
Using radically open dialectical behavior therapy to treat eating disorders
Treating eating disorders is often challenging, but radically open dialectical behavior therapy (RO DBT)...
Exposure therapy for eating disorders
Exposure therapy is a type of therapy used to treat eating disorders, phobias, and anxiety. It is typically...
Medical nutrition therapy for eating disorder recovery
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is an evidence-based treatment option for eating...
Group therapy for eating disorder treatment
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that have deep impacts on many people. By some...
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Treatment
Binge eating recovery
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States, characterized by...
Eating disorder support groups: Finding healing in community
Eating disorders like binge eating disorder (BED), anorexia nervosa (AN), and bulimia nervosa (BN), can be...
How to choose the best eating disorder treatment program for your needs
When it comes to choosing an eating disorder treatment program, people’s specific needs may vary. A program...
What type of treatment is recommended for eating disorders?
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can impact all aspects of someone's physical...
Exercise addiction treatment & recovery
Exercise addiction can be a difficult disorder to detect. There's a fine line between exercise enthusiasm...
Night eating syndrome treatment
Night eating syndrome (NES) may not be as well-known as other eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and...
Treatment of pregorexia, pregnancy-related eating disorders
Pregnancy-related eating disorders, also called pregorexia, encompass any eating disorders...
Orthorexia treatment plan
Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is a serious mental health condition involving a fixation on "eating clean,"...
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UFED
Unspecified feeding or eating disorders (UFED)
UFED stands for unspecified feeding and eating disorder. This diagnosis applies...
What is rumination disorder?
Rumination disorder, also referred to as rumination syndrome, is a rare and...
Chew and spit disorder (CHSP)
While some people with eating disorders strictly limit their food intake, and others struggle with...