Eating Disorder Treatment: Understanding Causes and Signs

June 4, 2025

Eating Disorder Counseling & Mental Health Treatment

According to the National Eating Disorders Organization, a person living with an eating disorder will often center most of their emotions, behaviors, and attitudes on food decisions. Eating disorders can include anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, rumination disorder, and restrictive food intake, among others. Because eating disorders can have serious impacts in the short and long term, it can be very important to get help if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder. There are often many options to treat eating disorders, and you may get in touch with a local counselor or reach out for help through an online counseling platform.

What causes disordered eating?

There are often many misconceptions about what causes an eating disorder, which is generally considered a type of mental illness. Some people mistakenly believe that eating disorders are simply a choice that someone makes. What they typically fail to acknowledge when they believe this is that these eating disorders are really mental health conditions. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, eating disorders are typically caused by a “range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors”. For example, studies show that those who have a family member with unhealthy dietary habits or a related mental health condition may have an increased risk of developing an eating disorder themselves.

When someone lives with an eating disorder, it is generally because they have an underlying mental health challenge. It could be that they are experiencing anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, for example. Some people may have lived through traumatic situations where they had very little control. Eating disorders can be a way to feel like they have control over some part of their life. The effective treatment of these eating disorders can teach individuals to replace this unhealthy coping strategy with healthy ones.

Who experiences eating disorders?

Eating disorders can be common in teenagers. Often, those who experience eating disorders have an inaccurate perception of their physical appearance or other body image concerns. Because they may have a negative body image, regardless of the changes they make to their body, they may be unable to see the results of their behavioral patterns.

It’s possible for young children, adults, and the elderly to develop eating disorders as well. In addition, those who are extremely underweight, at a healthy weight, or overweight can all experience eating disorders.

Signs and symptoms of an eating disorder

While low body weight may result from an eating disorder, it is important to know that an individual may be affected by an eating disorder without having a thin appearance. Knowing other eating disorder signs and symptoms can help you recognize if you or a loved one may be dealing with disordered eating, especially if they experience additional psychological problems and other factors associated with eating disorders.

Many people are familiar with anorexia, but that’s not the only type of eating disorder. There are multiple types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and bulimia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa generally refers to a person who fails to consume enough calories to fuel their body properly. Individuals with anorexia nervosa experience obsessive thinking about weight and extreme fear of weight gain. Anorexia nervosa can be a life-threatening eating disorder. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems, dangerous medical complications, and death. Some potential signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa can include the following:

Severely restricted food intake
Denial of hunger, skipping meals, or making excuses for not participating in meals
Maintaining a very low weight
Overwhelming fears of weight gain, which may lead to obsessions about preventing any and all weight gain
Inability to see the damage of not eating and what it is doing to the body and brain
Some elements of binging and purging
Dizziness, fainting, fatigue, seizures, or other health problems
Muscle atrophy
Absence of menstrual cycle
Thinning hair, brittle nails, dehydration, low blood pressure, difficulty concentrating

In some cases, substance abuse of diet pills may take place as well. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can be a helpful resource for individuals experiencing this eating disorder.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating typically consists of a person eating many more calories than their body needs to survive and flourish. A person with a binge eating disorder (BED) may restrict their food intake much of the time and then binge on large quantities of food. As the National Alliance on Mental Illness explains, those with binge eating disorder typically do not follow binges with purging or excessive exercise. Therefore, BED may result in obesity. Signs of binge eating may consist of the following:

The intake of very large portions of food at one time, often alone
Thoughts of guilt and shame during a binge, low self-esteem
Feeling “out of control” while binge eating
Eating food when not feeling hungry
Eating until feelings of physical discomfort occur

Evidence of binge eating on large quantities of food within a short time, such as the disappearance of food or numerous empty wrappers appearing.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa eating disorder can be similar to binge eating disorder, but after the person binge eats, they usually purge their food. For example, they may induce vomiting or take laxatives. This often allows them to continue the appearance that they are eating while still feeling like they have control over their food and weight. Bulimia nervosa signs and symptoms can include the following:

Obsession with not gaining weight
Hiding or hoarding food
Eating to the point of feeling physically uncomfortable or even in pain
Feeling out of control while binge eating
Self-esteem that is obsessively correlated to body image
Purging (forced vomiting) after binges

Other unhealthy habits and disorders

The above three are the most common eating disorders. However, they aren’t necessarily the only disorders around diet that can be experienced. The following are a few other examples of disordered eating.

Rumination disorder – With rumination disorder, a person may consistently regurgitate food after they eat it. This is something that can occur in young children and people who live with various intellectual disorders.
Restrictive food intake – This is generally when people avoid consuming certain foods due to an aversion to certain colors, smells, or textures.

If you or one of your family members are experiencing symptoms of any of the above eating disorders or otherwise have a difficult relationship with food and body image, please reach out for the help you deserve. For more information on the signs and symptoms of eating disorders—as well as effective treatment options—consider visiting the National Eating Disorders Association’s site. This national association offers additional resources that can be helpful.

Signs to look for

Many people who live with eating disorders can be very good at hiding their symptoms. If you question them about it or express your concerns, they aren’t likely to be open with you. In fact, eating conditions can impede individuals’ abilities to enjoy fulfilling relationships since feelings of guilt and secrecy about eating behaviors can affect trust and intimacy.

Know that counseling and mental health support can play a crucial role in recovery. Professional counselors and therapists who specialize in eating disorders can provide a safe space for individuals to explore the underlying causes of their disordered eating and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Treatment often involves a combination of psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and sometimes medication to address co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

Early intervention is key to improving outcomes for those living with eating disorders. If you notice signs or symptoms in yourself or a loved one, seeking professional help promptly can prevent the disorder from becoming more severe or life-threatening. Recovery is possible, and with appropriate support, individuals can regain a balanced relationship with food and their bodies.

Remember, eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that require compassion, understanding, and specialized treatment. By recognizing the signs and encouraging professional help, you can make a significant difference in the journey toward healing and well-being.