Other Eating Disorders

ARFID is similar to anorexia but without fears related to weight or body shape. It causes disinterest and avoidance of various foods, leading to weight loss or deficiencies. Fear of choking or traumatic events can worsen food fears. ARFID has often been referred to as “picky eating” however a person’s food variety does not improve with time.

OSFED is a life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a preoccupation with weight loss and a strong desire to control food intake. People with OSFED may follow restrictive diets, skip meals, refuse to eat certain foods or feel uncomfortable about eating around others.

Body dysmorphia causes people to focus on flaws in their appearance. These flaws are so minor that other people may not even notice them. To someone with BD, however, the perceived flaws are highly distressing, resulting in an intense focus on appearance.

Orthorexia causes someone to become overly fixated on healthy eating. People with this eating disorder create restrictive rules around food and then follow them obsessively, which may cause them to lose weight, miss out on important nutrients or develop food-related anxiety.

Diabulimia is the combination of an eating disorder with Type 1 diabetes. It’s a dangerous combination because people with T1D need to eat regularly to keep their blood glucose under control. Some people even avoid taking insulin, putting them at risk for serious complications.

Laxative abuse is characterized by the use of laxatives to aid in purging. Over time, misuse of laxatives can interfere with normal bowel function, leading to serious problems maintaining normal electrolyte levels. Laxative abuse may even lead to heart or kidney damage.