What are the Uncommon Eating Disorders?

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What are the Uncommon Eating Disorders?

Over time, society has created a very specific picture of what eating disorders are “supposed” to be and look like. It has historically been assumed that if you suffer from such an illness, you eat little to nothing and look extremely thin or emaciated. While this may be true of some cases, restrictive eating disorders characterized by dietary restriction or weight loss can manifest in a variety of ways. In fact, there are many uncommon eating disorders that, while perhaps lesser known, require just as much help. Here are a few examples of uncommon eating disorders to look out for:

Body Dysmorphic Disorder 

BDD is a body-image disorder characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupations with an imagined or slight defect in one’s appearance. BDD affects about 2% of the people in the United States, equally split between male and female, with about 70% of cases appearing before age 18. People with BDD can dislike any part of their body, although they often find fault with their hair, skin, nose, chest, or stomach. While to others, this insecurity may be an unnoticeably slight imperfection (or even completely nonexistent), to someone with BDD, the flaw is significant and prominent, often causing severe emotional distress and difficulties in daily functioning. Some BDD signs to look out for in someone who may be struggling include:

  • Talking negatively about their appearance
  • Shy and withdrawn in new situations and with unfamiliar people
  • Camouflaging (with body position, clothing, makeup, hair, hats, etc.)
  • Comparing body part to others’ appearance
  • Seeking surgery
  • Constantly checking in a mirror or avoiding mirrors altogether
  • Picking at skin
  • Excessive grooming
  • Changing clothes excessively

Anorexia athletica (compulsive exercising)

Although compulsive exercising is not necessarily an official eating disorder diagnosis, and rather considered behaviors that are a part of anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, it’s important to note because many people who are preoccupied with food and weight, exercise compulsively in attempts to control weight. The real issues are not weight and performance excellence but rather control and self-respect. Someone suffering from anorexia athletica may show signs such as:

  • Repeatedly exercising beyond the requirements for good health
  • Considered a fanatic about weight and diet
  • Steals time to exercise from work, school, and relationships
  • Focuses on challenges in physical activity, rather than enjoyment or fun
  • Defines self-worth in terms of performance
  • Does not savor victory and pushes on to the next challenge immediately
  • Justifies excessive behavior by defining self as a “special” elite athlete

Orthorexia nervosa

Similarly to anorexia athletica, orthorexia nervosa is not a formal eating disorder diagnosis, but the concept is useful. Perhaps related to, or a type of, obsessive-compulsive disorder, the illness describes “a pathological fixation on eating ‘proper, pure or superior’ food.” People with orthorexia nervosa may exhibit signs such as:

  • Feeling superior to others who eat “improper” food (non-organic or junk foods)
  • Obsessing over what to eat,
  • Obsessing on how much to eat,
  • Obsessing over how to prepare food and where to obtain “pure” and “proper” foods.
  • Eating the “right” food becomes an important, or even the primary, focus of life.
  • One’s worth or goodness is seen in terms of what one does or does not eat
  • Personal values, relationships, career goals, and friendships become less important than the quality and timing of what is consumed

What are the Uncommon Eating Disorders?

Over time, society has created a very specific picture of what eating disorders are “supposed” to be and look like. It has historically been assumed that if you suffer from such an illness, you eat little to nothing and look extremely thin or emaciated. While this may be true of some cases, restrictive eating disorders characterized by dietary restriction or weight loss can manifest in a variety of ways. In fact, there are many uncommon eating disorders that, while perhaps lesser known, require just as much help. Here are a few examples of uncommon eating disorders to look out for:

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

 

BDD is a body-image disorder characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupations with an imagined or slight defect in one’s appearance. BDD affects about 2% of the people in the United States, equally split between male and female, with about 70% of cases appearing before age 18. People with BDD can dislike any part of their body, although they often find fault with their hair, skin, nose, chest, or stomach. While to others, this insecurity may be an unnoticeably slight imperfection (or even completely nonexistent), to someone with BDD, the flaw is significant and prominent, often causing severe emotional distress and difficulties in daily functioning. Some BDD signs to look out for in someone who may be struggling include:

  • Talking negatively about their appearance
  • Shy and withdrawn in new situations and with unfamiliar people
  • Camouflaging (with body position, clothing, makeup, hair, hats, etc.)
  • Comparing body part to others’ appearance
  • Seeking surgery
  • Constantly checking in a mirror or avoiding mirrors altogether
  • Picking at skin
  • Excessive grooming
  • Changing clothes excessively

Anorexia athletica (compulsive exercising)

Although compulsive exercising is not necessarily an official eating disorder diagnosis, and rather considered behaviors that are a part of anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, it’s important to note because many people who are preoccupied with food and weight, exercise compulsively in attempts to control weight. The real issues are not weight and performance excellence but rather control and self-respect. Someone suffering from anorexia athletica may show signs such as:

  • Repeatedly exercising beyond the requirements for good health
  • Considered a fanatic about weight and diet
  • Steals time to exercise from work, school, and relationships
  • Focuses on challenges in physical activity, rather than enjoyment or fun
  • Defines self-worth in terms of performance
  • Does not savor victory and pushes on to the next challenge immediately
  • Justifies excessive behavior by defining self as a “special” elite athlete

Orthorexia nervosa

Similarly to anorexia athletica, orthorexia nervosa is not a formal eating disorder diagnosis, but the concept is useful. Perhaps related to, or a type of, obsessive-compulsive disorder, the illness describes “a pathological fixation on eating ‘proper, pure or superior’ food.” People with orthorexia nervosa may exhibit signs such as:

 

  • Feeling superior to others who eat “improper” food (non-organic or junk foods)
  • Obsessing over what to eat,
  • Obsessing on how much to eat,
  • Obsessing over how to prepare food and where to obtain “pure” and “proper” foods.
  • Eating the “right” food becomes an important, or even the primary, focus of life.
  • One’s worth or goodness is seen in terms of what one does or does not eat
  • Personal values, relationships, career goals, and friendships become less important than the quality and timing of what is consumed

Although your condition may not necessarily fit the “widely-accepted” description for an eating disorder, it is just as serious and should be treated accordingly. If you are currently suffering from an eating disorder, are in active recovery, or identify as fully recovered, Recovery From Anorexia can help. Run by Meredith, an eating disorder survivor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Recovery From Anorexia aims to help others who struggle with eating disorders by inspiring hope and sharing the skills and resources necessary to battle and beat this disease. For more help or information, reach out to Meredith today.

 

Conclusion

Although your condition may not necessarily fit the “widely-accepted” description for an eating disorder, it is just as serious and should be treated accordingly. If you are currently suffering from an eating disorder, are in active recovery, or identify as fully recovered, Recovery From Anorexia can help. Run by Meredith, an eating disorder survivor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Recovery From Anorexia aims to help others who struggle with eating disorders by inspiring hope and sharing the skills and resources necessary to battle and beat this disease. For more help or information, reach out to Meredith today.

 

 

 

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