Eating Disorders Also called: Anorexia nervosa, Binge eating, Bulimia Summary Eating disorders are serious behavior problems. They can include severe overeating or not consuming enough food to stay healthy. They also involve extreme concern about your shape or weight. Types of eating disorders include Anorexia nervosa, in which you become too thin, but you don’t eat enough because you think you are fat Bulimia nervosa, which involves 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 lead to heart and kidney problems and even death. Getting help early is important. Treatment involves monitoring, talk therapy, nutritional counseling, and sometimes medicines. NIH: National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health Find an Expert American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Find a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Help for Mental Illnesses National Institute of Mental Health Mental Health Treatment Program Locator Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health Array Anorexia nervosa Binge eating disorder Break the Bonds of Emotional Eating Bulimia Pica Specifics Anorexia Nervosa Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Merck & Co., Inc. Binge Eating Disorder Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Binge Eating Disorder National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Bulimia Nervosa Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Teenagers Binge Eating Disorder Nemours Foundation Compulsive Exercise Nemours Foundation Eating Disorders Nemours Foundation I Think My Friend May Have an Eating Disorder. What Should I Do? Nemours Foundation Teen Eating Disorders: Tips to Protect Your Teen Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Anorexia Nervosa National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Binge-Eating Disorder National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Bulimia National Institutes of Health Related Issues Compulsive Exercise Nemours Foundation What People with Anorexia Nervosa Need to Know about Osteoporosis National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Treatments and Therapies Eating Disorder Treatment: Know Your Options Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Start Here Eating Disorders National Institute of Mental Health Eating Disorders NAMI Eating Disorders: About More Than Food National Institute of Mental Health Reference Desk Eating Disorders Glossary F.E.A.S.T. NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Eating Disorders: Symptoms and Warning Signs Males and Eating Disorders Understanding Eating Disorders Children Kids and Eating Disorders Nemours Foundation Pica Nemours Foundation Living With Mental illness Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Women Pregorexia: A Legitimate Problem during Pregnancy? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Journal Articles Eating Disorders Encyclopedia Rumination disorder Latest News Brain Stimulation May Help People with Anorexia HealthDay