Psychology TopicsEating disorders
Eating disorders are abnormal eating habits that can threaten your health or even your life. They include:
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Anorexia nervosa: Individuals believe they’re fat even when they’re dangerously thin and restrict their eating to the point of starvation.
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Bulimia nervosa: Individuals eat excessive amounts of food, then purge by making themselves vomit or using laxatives.
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Binge eating: Individuals have out-of-control eating patterns, but don’t purge.
Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology
Learn About Eating Disorders
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Eating Disorders
Almost everyone worries about their weight occasionally. People with eating disorders take such concerns to extremes. Learn more about eating disorders and how psychologists treat them.
Getting Help
- Find a Psychologist
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Treatment for anorexia and bulimia
Therapy can help restore a healthy attitude toward eating.
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Treatment for binge eating
Experts agree that binge eating treatment must tackle the obesity that comes with binge eating and the psychological problems that underlie the disorder. But they’re still debating which aspect to treat first.
Monitor on Psychology Articles
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Bite, chew, savor
November 2012
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Feeding the soul
March 2010
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Revamping our definitions of eating disorders
April 2009
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New solutions
April 2009