Introduction
Disordered eating vs eating disorder… they are two different, yet serious conditions.
If you are looking to understand the differences between disordered eating and eating disorders, you are in the right place.
As a registered dietitian and someone who struggled with disordered eating, it is important to understand the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment options for both disordered eating and eating disorders.
It is crucial that individuals experiencing any form of disordered eating seek help from specialized healthcare professionals to prevent their conditions from becoming more serious.
After reading this article, you will be able to identify disordered eating vs eating disorder, how to seek treatment, and where to find other resources.
Let’s dive in.
What is the difference between disordered eating and an eating disorder?
Disordered eating and an eating disorder are not the same.
The key difference in understanding disordered eating vs eating disorder is that eating disorders are diagnosable conditions as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5 TR). Disordered eating, on the other hand, is a general term and not a specific diagnosis.
Disordered eating and eating disorder habits may overlap, but how often the behaviors happen, how long they last, and/or the level of impairment distinguishes the difference between the two.
Although disordered eating is not a specific diagnosis, it does not mean disordered eating behaviors are not valid, do not deserve treatment, and should not be taken seriously.
What Exactly is Disordered Eating?
Disordered eating is a term to describe irregular, unhealthy, or problematic eating behaviors. Disordered eating behaviors can occur from time to time, or affect people every day over a long period of time.
In other words, disordered eating may occur in the form of dieting for a certain event, or could be occurring in the form of food rules/rules around eating, like cutting out entire groups of food.
Disordered eating habits also sit on a spectrum between normal eating behaviors and an eating disorder.
Although disordered eating is not a specific diagnosis, it still deserves attention and treatment. Disordered eating may turn into more problematic eating behaviors that may increase risk of more serious health problems.
Signs and Symptoms Associated with Disordered Eating
Many people who suffer from disordered eating are not aware that their thoughts and eating behaviors are having a major impact on their physical and mental health.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics lists the following as signs and symptoms of disordered eating. In general, individuals suffering with disordered eating may have a preoccupation with food, weight, and their body shape/size.
Because disordered eating is not a clinical diagnosis, this list does not describe all types of disordered eating.
- Dieting (most common)
- Fasting
- Binge eating
- Anxiety, guilt, or shame associated with eating specific foods
- Skipping meals
- Chronic weight fluctuations
- Distorted body image
- Rigid rituals and routines surrounding food and exercise
- Preoccupation with food, weight and body image
- A feeling of loss of control around food, including compulsive eating habits
- Using exercise, food restriction, fasting or purging to “make up for bad foods” consumed
- Having food rules; avoiding certain types of foods and food groups
- Self-induced vomiting
- Misusing laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
Dieting is one of the most common forms of disordered eating and one of the strongest predictors of developing an eating disorder. Engaging in fad diets is also considered a form of disordered eating.
It is important to catch disordered eating habits before they turn into more severe, chronic behaviors and/or progress into an eating disorder.
How does Disordered Eating differ from Eating Disorders?
The terms eating disorder and disordered eating are not synonymous.
Disordered eating behaviors may present the same or similar to an eating disorder, but the frequency, severity, and level of impairment sets disordered eating apart from an eating disorder.
Understanding Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are considered mental illnesses characterized by specific eating behaviors and impairment in psychological functioning.
Different Types of Eating Disorders
There are five major eating disorders as defined by the DSM-5 TR: anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED).
Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
Anorexia Nervosa, often referred to as anorexia, is characterized by extreme restriction of calories and variety of foods eaten. People with AN typically have an intense fear of gaining weight, despite likely being underweight. People with AN typically also have a distorted body image.
Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
Bulimia Nervosa, often referred to as bulimia, is characterized by eating large quantities of food in a short period of time (also referred to as binge eating), followed by a compensatory method, such as purging, in an attempt to undo the amount of calories consumed and/or prevent weight gain.
Other compensatory methods include extreme exercise, fasting, laxatives, diuretics, or other medications. Those struggling with bulimia are typically at a normal, healthy weight. Despite that, they may struggle with distorted body image.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Binge eating disorder is similar to bulimia, but does not include compensatory behaviors. It is characterized by binge eating (eating large amount of foods in short periods of time) at least once a week for three months. BED is often associated with feelings of little to no control around food.
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID is characterized by an individual avoiding the amount and types of food they eat. This may be due to anxiety/fear of certain foods or aversions to certain textures and tastes. ARFID is not the same as picky eating, and it is not associated with distorted/poor body image or fear of weight gain.
Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED)
OSFED, previously known as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), is considered a “catch-all” condition for those who did not meet strict diagnostic criteria for any of the mentioned eating disorders above. OSFED is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder.
Warning Signs and Symptoms of an Eating Disorder
Each eating disorder is different from each other, and therefore has different signs and symptoms. In general, a preoccupation with food, body weight, and shape may be a sign of an eating disorder. Noticeable changes in body size, such as weight loss, could be a sign as well.
What Does Non-Disordered Eating Look Like?
You may be wondering what non-disordered or healthy eating looks like. Non-disordered eating, in general, is a result of having a healthy relationship with food. It can look like:
- Eating meals and snacks regularly (the scientific consensus recommends eating every 2-4 hours)
- No strict rules about what you “can/can’t” or “should/shouldn’t” eat
- Not preoccupied with food
- Not preoccupied with changing the way your body looks/weighs
- Mindful about food choices
- No stress around food
- Listening to hunger cues (understanding the cues from your body when you are hungry)
- Honoring hunger cues (eating when you feel hungry)
- Being flexible around food such as trying new foods or having unplanned “treats”
Any of these can be good goals for those striving to overcome disordered eating and achieving a better relationship with food.
Key Distinctions Between Disordered Eating and an Eating Disorder
When a trained healthcare provider is evaluating someone for an eating disorder, they will follow criteria defined in the DSM-5 TR.
An individual with disordered eating patterns may meet almost all criteria for a specific eating disorder, but what ultimately leads to diagnosis of an eating disorder pertains to frequency, duration, severity of behaviors, impact on physical and mental health, and the need for professional intervention.
If an eating disorder is not diagnosed, that does not mean disordered eating is any less serious or less significant. Altering your food intake or fixating on body shape/size/weight is a very serious problem and deserves proper treatment and recovery efforts.
Seeking Help
The good news is that eating disorders and disordered eating are curable. There are skilled health practitioners such as registered dietitians, psychologists, and psychiatrists who specialize in eating disorder treatment. A primary care physician can provide a referral.
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is an excellent resource and provides a screening tool, treatment options, and helplines to call.
Resources and Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type of disorder and symptoms, but generally includes a combination of counseling and nutrition education, and in some cases medication. Oftentimes there are underlying issues, like anxiety or depression, that may need treatment too.
Partners, family members, and peers can be sources of support and should be considered when creating a treatment plan. Be sure to check out local support groups, too.
If you suspect you (or someone you know) is struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, it is recommended to seek treatment from a healthcare professional with expertise in the eating disorders.
Causes of Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders and disordered eating are not lifestyle choices. Whether it’s disordered eating vs eating disorder, it affects people of all sizes, ages, races, gender identities, sexual orientation, economic backgrounds, and environments.
There are various causes of eating disorders and disordered eating. Researchers are finding that they may be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors. It is also agreed upon that eating disorders may run in families.
Prevention
While we don’t have much control over our genes, we can make an effort to change our behavior, thoughts, and our environment.
As a registered dietitian and someone who struggled with disordered eating for many years, here are my top 4 tips for those struggling with their relationship with food and their body: stop dieting, assess your relationship with food, practice food neutrality, and practice body neutrality.
Stop Dieting
Dieting is one of the most common forms of disordered eating and one of the strongest predictors of developing an eating disorder. Dieting is what very often leads to a cycle of restricting and binging, and the feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety and depression.
Assess Your Relationship with Food
If you are unsure if you have a healthy relationship with food or unsure if you have a healthy mindset around eating, try taking my food freedom quiz.
After you take the quiz, you’ll have a better understanding of your mindset, and I’ll give you ideas on how you can make your relationship with food even stronger.
Practice Food Neutrality
Another way to prevent disordered eating is to work on practicing food neutrality. Food neutrality recognizes that all foods have different nutritional values, but does not attach feelings to the different nutritional values. The goal of food neutrality is to have a healthy relationship with food.
Practice Body Neutrality
Having a healthy relationship with food goes hand in hand with having a healthy relationship with our bodies.
Another way to stop/prevent dieting and disordered eating is to practice body neutrality. To be body neutral means you don’t have to love your body, but you don’t have to hate your body either.
If you are interested in learning more about these topics, check out my articles.
Gentle Reminders
Set boundaries with others (and yourself!) around talking negatively about food and bodies. This may look or sound like asking to not discuss diets, healthy/unhealthy food, or weight. It may be hard at first but the more you practice the easier it will get, and the more at ease you will be.
Conclusion
Disordered eating vs eating disorder… they are similar, but not the same.
Eating disorders are diagnosed by criteria defined in the DSM-5 TR, whereas disordered eating is a descriptive term to describe irregular and problematic eating behaviors.
It is important to know the difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating so that the right treatment can be found.
Disordered eating and eating disorder recovery is possible, which is why it is crucial that individuals experiencing any form of disordered eating seek help from specialized healthcare professionals to prevent their conditions from becoming more serious.
Want to assess your relationship with food? Try taking my food freedom quiz.