NEDA TOOLKIT for Educators
Frequently asked questions about eating disorders
What is an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are serious but treatable illnesses
with medical and psychiatric aspects. The DSM-5,
published in 2013, recognizes anorexia, bulimia, and
binge eating disorder (BED) as diagnosable eating
disorders. Some eating disorders combine elements
of several diagnostic classifications and are known as
“other specified feeding or eating disorder” (OSFED).
Eating disorders often coexist with a mental illness
such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive
disorder. People with an eating disorder typically
become obsessed with food, body image, and weight.
The disorders can become very serious, chronic, and
sometimes even life-threatening if not recognized and
treated appropriately.
into the disorder. Many clinical experts prefer the term
“remission” and look at eating disorders as a chronic
condition that can be very effectively managed to
achieve complete remission from signs and symptoms.
Patients may, however, be at risk of a relapse in the
future. Many patients in recovery agree that remission
more accurately describes their recovery because they
need to continuously manage their relationship with
food, concepts about body image, and any coexisting
mental condition, such as depression.
Who gets eating disorders?
Yes. Anyone who feels the need to either starve or purge
food to feel better has unhealthy attitudes about one
or more issues, such as physical appearance and body
image, food, or underlying psychological factors. This
doesn’t necessarily mean the person has a diagnosable
eating disorder, but it does warrant expressing concern
to the person about their behavior. If he or she denies
the problem or gets defensive, it might be helpful to
have information about what eating disorders actually
are. Contact the National Eating Disorders Association’s
Information and Referral Helpline for information and
resources to help you learn how to talk to someone
you care about. Call toll-free (1-800- 931-2237) or visit
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org for a Click to Chat
option. Males and females may develop eating disorders as
early as elementary school. While it’s true that eating
disorders are more commonly diagnosed in females
than in males, and more often during adolescence
and early adulthood than in older ages, many cases
are also being recognized in men and women in their
30s, 40s, and older. Eating disorders affect people
of all socioeconomic classes, although it was once
believed that they disproportionately affected upper
socioeconomic groups. Anorexia nervosa ranks as the
third most common chronic illness among adolescent
females in the United States. Recent studies suggest
that up to 7% of US females have had bulimia at some
time in their lives. At any given time an estimated 5%
of the US population has undiagnosed bulimia. Current
findings suggest that binge eating disorder affects 0.7%
to 4% of the general population. (Smink, van Hoeken
and Hoek, 2012)
Can eating disorders be cured?
Many people with eating disorders who are treated
early and appropriately can achieve a full and long-
term recovery. Some call it a “cure” and others call
it “full remission” or “long-term remission.” Among
individuals whose symptoms improve — even if the
symptoms are not totally gone (called a “partial
remission”) — the burden of the illness can be greatly
diminished. This can encourage increased happiness
and productivity, a healthier relationship with food, and
an improved quality of life. Treatment must be tailored
to the individual patient and family. Controversy
exists around the term “cure,” which can imply that a
patient does not have to be concerned with relapse
If someone I know intentionally vomits after
meals, but only before big events — not all the
time — should I be concerned?
I know someone who exercises for three or
four every day. Is this considered a sign of an
eating disorder?
Perhaps. If the person is not training for a rigorous
athletic event (like the Olympics), and the compulsion
is driven by a desire to lose weight despite being within
a normal weight range, or by guilt due to bingeing,
then, yes, the compulsion to exercise is a dimension of
an eating disorder. If you know the person well, talk to
him/her about the reasons he or she exercises so much.
If you are concerned about their weight or the rationale
behind the excessive exercise regime, lead the person
to information and resources that could help.
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