Eating disorders are serious and complex mental health conditions that involve extreme preoccupation with food, weight, and body shape. Far from being a "lifestyle choice" or a phase, they are medical illnesses with the second highest mortality rate of any mental health condition, often leading to severe physical complications. Common Types of Eating Disorders
: Characterized by severe restriction of food intake, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. Even when dangerously underweight, individuals may perceive themselves as overweight. Mental Health Eating Disorders
: The most common eating disorder in the U.S.. It involves losing control over eating and consuming large amounts of food until uncomfortably full, often followed by intense guilt and shame. Unlike bulimia, BED does not involve regular purging behaviors. Eating disorders are serious and complex mental health
: Involves cycles of binge eating (consuming large amounts of food rapidly) followed by compensatory "purging" behaviors like self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative misuse. Unlike bulimia, BED does not involve regular purging