[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/identifying-treating-eating-disorders\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/identifying-treating-eating-disorders\/","headline":"Identifying and Treating Eating Disorders","name":"Identifying and Treating Eating Disorders","description":"Eating disorders affect males and females of all ages and may cause long-term physical and emotional damage. Learn how to identify and treat them.","datePublished":"2014-05-15","dateModified":"2024-07-18","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/behavioral-health-regions","name":"UPMC Western Behavioral Health","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/behavioral-health-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/behavioral-health\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/identify-and-treat-eating-disorders.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/identify-and-treat-eating-disorders.jpg","height":324,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/identifying-treating-eating-disorders\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Mental Health"],"wordCount":462,"keywords":["anorexia","anorexia nervosa","binge","Binge Eating Disorder","bulimia","bulimia nervosa","Center for Overcoming Problem Eating","Possible Eating Disorder","purge","Self-induced vomiting","Serious eating disorders"],"articleBody":"Eating disorders affect\u00a0males\u00a0and females of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults. Serious eating disorders may cause long-term physical and emotional damage. This includes an increased risk of sudden death, fainting, electrolyte disturbance, and other medical complications.Early identification\u00a0and intervention can help prevent long-term complications.Types of Eating DisordersAnorexia nervosaAnorexia nervosa\u00a0involves restricting energy intake, leading to significantly low body weight that is characterized by:An intense fear of gaining weight, repeated behaviors that interfere with weight gain, disturbance in one\u2019s self-view of body weight and shape, or failure to recognize the seriousness of low body weight.In some people, repeated episodes of binge eating and purging.Binge eatingBinge eating\u00a0is characterized by\u00a0both:Eating a large amount of food.Feeling a loss of control over eating.PurgingPurging behaviors are intended to control body weight and shape or counteract the effects of binge eating. They include:Misuse of laxatives, diuretics (water pills), or other medications, such as insulin and diet pills.Self-induced vomiting.Bulimia nervosaBulimia nervosa\u00a0is characterized by:Frequent episodes of binge eating.Frequent inappropriate behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise.Normal body weight or overweight.Unsatisfaction with body size and shape.Binge eating disorderBinge eating disorder, or repeated episodes of binge eating, is characterized by:Eating alone because of embarrassment about the amount eaten.Eating large amounts when not physically hungry.Eating more rapidly than normal.Eating until uncomfortably full.Feeling disgusted, depressed, or very guilty after eating.No repeated inappropriate behaviors to prevent weight gain.Normal body weight or overweight.Signs and Symptoms of a Possible Eating DisorderSymptoms of an eating disorder include:Anxiety or depression.Binge eating and\/or purging.Extreme dieting behaviors or eating patterns.Obsessive thoughts about food. (Answering \u201cyes\u201d to the question, \u201cDoes food or thoughts of food dominate your life?\u201d)Obsessive thoughts or fears about body shape or weight. (Answering \u201cyes\u201d to the question, \u201cDo you believe yourself to be fat when others say you are too thin?\u201d)Rapid or significant weight loss.Social withdrawal or loss of interest in friends and usual activities.Integrated and Comprehensive Eating Disorder TreatmentIf you think you may have an eating disorder, look for a treatment that:Is informed by the latest research.Is provided by highly trained medical and psychiatric professionals.Offers multiple levels of care, including inpatient and intensive outpatient options.The\u00a0UPMC Center for Eating Disorders\u00a0at UPMC Western Behavioral Health offers hope for people struggling with serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorders. We provide care for children, adolescents, and adults with all forms of eating disorders.For more information, visit our\u00a0website.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 15, 2014, and was last reviewed on July 18, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Identifying and Treating Eating Disorders","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/identifying-treating-eating-disorders\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]