What Are Eating Disorders?

Generally, eating disorders involve self-critical, negative thoughts and feelings about body weight and food, and eating habits that disrupts normal body function, and daily life activities. A person with anorexia nervosa typically starves himself or herself to be thin and experiences excessive weight loss, typically 15% below the weight that doctors consider ideal for his or her height and age. In some cases of anorexia, in addition to restricting their food intake individuals use purging - by vomiting or taking laxatives - to control their weight.

Bulimia is characterized by habitual binge eating and purging. Individuals with bulimia may experience weight fluctuations, but rarely experiences the low weight associated with anorexia. Both disorders tend to involve compulsive exercise.

For people with eating disorders, there is a large gap between the way they see themselves, and the way that they actually look. Once a person is starved to a certain degree, body image distortions tend to become more severe and extreme. As he or she gets thinner and thinner, he or she keeps feeling "fat."

It's important to remember that an eating disorder is not just a behavior that can be controlled. It is a medical condition that requires professional medical attention and treatment.