Eating disorder may refer to a condition or set of conditions in which a person can eat in excess or barely eat. It is a handicap to an individual’s physical or mental growth. Anyone can suffer from eating disorder regardless of age and gender (although women are at a higher risk of developing it).

There are various forms of eating disorders and each of them is explained below starting with two of the most common types; bulimia and anorexia.

1. Anorexia: People suffering from anorexia (also known as anorexia nervosa), fear gaining weight. A simple example can be that of girls who are models or are inspired by them, they hardly eat. People suffering from anorexia are always on a fast or exercise extensively. Rarely do they eat and it becomes an obsession. Some of its symptoms are; sudden weight loss in a short time, deliberately vomiting what was eaten, self starvation, dizziness, hair loss, constipation, loss of menstrual cycle etc. The dangers of anorexia include loss of bones and its strength, disintegration of skin etc. It increases stress, thus increasing the chances of cardiovascular diseases with an increased mortality.
2. Bulimia: Very similar to anorexia, person suffering from bulimia (or bulimia nervosa) tend to eat in excess and then deliberately try to vomit or spend extended time in the gym working out, all this just to prevent weight gain. This nature is definitely harmful to one’s physic and intellect. Gradually compulsive behavior creeps in. The symptoms are common for both anorexia and bulimia, however a few extra topics are discussed; strange eating patterns, low blood pressure, mood swings, sleep disorder, losing sexual desire, swollen glands etc. All these symptoms can also be noticed in anorexics as well. Most people suffering from bulimia eat huge chunks of junk food, or food in any forms (be it cooked or raw) and then uses laxatives to remove that food. They also try deliberate vomiting and/or excessive exercise to get rid of the food consumed. They can also fast immediately after a session of binge eating. Although the symptoms and habits of people suffering from anorexia and bulimia are identical, we can differentiate between them as anorexics are generally very thin and usually underweight but those suffering from bulimia can be overweight or of normal body weight.
3. Binge eating disorder: Unlike those with bulimia, binge eaters do not try to get rid of the food they consume. It is psychological disorder where a person continues eating even after a full stomach.
4. Pica: Even after stuffing themselves with food people suffering from pica have craving for more food. At times their craving is so much that they even eat paper, glue, ash etc.
5. Night eating syndrome: They generally suffer from insomnia and can binge eat all night, however when they get up in the morning they become anorexic.
6. Orthorexia: A new entrant to the list of eating disorders, person suffering from Orthorexia has an excessive compulsion with a “perfect diet”.
7. Rumination: When a person’s eating style resembles that of a cow, he is said to suffer from rumination. In this, after swallowing food the person is able to force that food back into his mouth to chew again or to throw out.

Treating any of these disorders needs the help of a psychologist as it is all in the mind.

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