Understanding the Different Types of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

In the United States, an estimated 9% of the population — roughly 30 million people — will have an eating disorder in their lifetime, and they affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Early recognition and treatment significantly improve the chance of recovery, which is why understanding the different types matters.

At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy, our specialists help people whose eating behaviors have moved beyond occasional concern or stress around food and into patterns that are harming their health, mood, and quality of life. Here’s an overview of the most common — and some less common — eating disorders.

The 4 primary eating disorders you’ll hear about

Here are the most frequently diagnosed and studied eating disorders:

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa involves restricting food intake and an intense fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia often see themselves as “too big” even when underweight. This disorder can lead to dangerously low weight and serious medical complications.

It’s one of the deadliest mental illnesses because of its impact on physical systems and its link to co-occurring depression and anxiety.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, or excessive exercise to “undo” the effect of eating large amounts of food.

Unlike anorexia, weight may be in the average range, which can make the disorder harder to spot.

Binge eating disorder (BED)

BED is the second-most common eating disorder in the U.S., and it affects people of all weights and often involves eating large amounts quickly, feeling out of control, and experiencing guilt or shame afterward.

There are no regular follow-up behaviors to compensate, which is a key difference from bulimia. BED affects people broadly and is linked with psychological distress and metabolic health concerns.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

ARFID involves significantly limiting the variety or amount of food eaten, but not because of body image concerns. Instead, it may stem from sensory sensitivities, fear of choking or vomiting, or a general lack of interest in eating. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies and weight loss.

Other recognized eating disorder types and patterns

Not everyone fits neatly into one of those four categories. That’s where broader classifications help clinicians understand and support a wider range of experiences.

Other specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED)

OSFED describes significant disordered eating that doesn’t fully match the strict criteria of anorexia, bulimia, BED, or ARFID but still causes distress and harm.

Examples include purging disorder (purging without binge eating) and atypical anorexia nervosa, where all the psychological features of anorexia are present, but the person’s weight remains in or above the normal range.

OSFED underscores an important truth: You don’t have to fit a textbook description to be struggling, and you deserve help even if your symptoms don’t “look typical.”

Less common eating disorders

In addition to the top four eating disorders, we also see rare patterns like pica (eating nonnutritive substances) and rumination disorder (repeatedly regurgitating food). These are less talked about but can seriously affect health and quality of life, and they often benefit from therapy and medical support.

There’s also growing attention to conditions like orthorexia, an unhealthy obsession with “pure” or “clean” eating. Orthorexia isn’t yet a formal diagnosis, but many individuals struggle with patterns around rigid food rules that cause distress and impairment.

Why understanding the differences matters

Eating disorders aren’t just about food. They commonly co-occur with mood disorders, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and trauma histories. Their impact touches relationships, energy levels, mood stability, physical health, and daily functioning.

People with eating disorders often feel misunderstood, even by themselves at first. They may hide symptoms, minimize struggles, or fear judgment.

At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy, we approach eating disorders with empathy, expertise, and a focus on the whole person, not just the symptoms. Our team helps you:

• Understand how your eating patterns show up in your life
• Explore underlying emotional, cognitive, and relational factors
• Build skills to manage distress, body image pressures, and triggers
• Access individualized therapy, support, and recovery planning

Eating disorders respond best to early recognition and compassionate care. Recovery is possible, and support can make it feel less isolating.

If you suspect you or someone you care about may be struggling and would like to explore what type of eating disorder may be present, we’re here to listen without judgment and to walk alongside you through recovery. Call Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy in Aurora or Chicago, Illinois, or Las Vegas, Nevada, or schedule an appointment online today.