An eating disorder can be summarized as an eating habit that a person develops in a way that negatively affects their physical and mental health. Although this disorder, which can lead to physical health problems as well as psychological ones, has different types, it is generally related to the individual’s body image and emotional state. Expert Psychologist Jülide Unutmaz from Anadolu Health Center Hospital, who stated that the amount, frequency, and type of eating change in an unhealthy way, said, “According to research, approximately eight percent of the world’s population struggles with eating disorders, and adolescents and women aged 12-35 are the most affected by this condition.”
An eating disorder is a multifaceted and profound health issue that goes beyond eating habits. Expert Psychologist Jülide Unutmaz from Anadolu Health Center Hospital, who mentioned that it may involve many underlying factors such as distorted reality and body image, self-esteem issues, and traumatic experiences, said, “All of these can seriously threaten an individual’s overall health. Today, societal pressures, intensified through social media, can negatively affect the mental and physical health of young individuals. Therefore, raising awareness about eating disorders and learning to protect oneself from potential risks of the digital world is highly important.”
Expert Psychologist Jülide Unutmaz from Anadolu Health Center Hospital listed the most common eating disorders:
Anorexia nervosa
The person experiences an intense and persistent fear of gaining weight. Severe distortions in body image occur, and they perceive themselves as much heavier and different in the mirror than they actually are. In this disorder, the individual feels overweight despite being at an ideal or underweight level and may obsessively continue efforts to lose weight.
Bulimia nervosa
The individual loses control and consumes an excessive amount of food in a short time, then engages in behaviors such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise to compensate for these calories. This cycle threatens physical health while also attacking the person’s mental health with intense feelings of guilt, shame, and dissatisfaction with their body.
Binge eating disorder
The person consumes an excessive amount of food without physical hunger, unable to stop eating. Unlike other eating disorders, compensatory behaviors to eliminate the eaten food are not observed after episodes, but intense regret, shame, and depressive feelings may still arise.
Rumination disorder
Previously chewed and swallowed food is involuntarily brought back into the mouth. This food may be re-chewed, swallowed, or spat out. This condition can turn into an involuntary repetitive reflex, leading to both physiological and psychological problems.
Pica eating disorder
Non-food substances are consumed continuously or repetitively. For example, there may be a desire to eat substances such as ash, soil, paper, nails, hair, paint, chalk, soap, detergent, or stones.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
The person avoids eating or shows extreme sensitivity to certain foods. These individuals are generally disinterested in food or reject certain foods due to their smell, texture, or taste.
Other specified eating disorders
These include less-known or not fully diagnosable disorders, such as waking up at night to eat, which significantly reduce the quality of life.
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