Eating Disorders | Health Terms

Eating disorders are serious behavior problems. They include:

• Anorexia nervosa, in which you become too thin, but you don't eat enough because you think you are fat
• Bulimia nervosa, involving periods of overeating followed by purging, sometimes through self-induced vomiting or using laxatives
• Binge-eating, which is out-of-control eating

Women are more likely than men to have eating disorders. They usually start in the teenage years and often occur along with depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse.

Eating disorders can cause heart and kidney problems and even death. Getting help early is important. Treatment involves monitoring, mental health therapy, nutritional counseling and sometimes medicines.

NIH: National Institute of Mental Health