Types of eating disorders explained

Eating disorders are complex and come in many forms. Learn about the most common types and their warning signs.

Common types of eating disorders

There are four common types of eating disorders that are recognised by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which are:

Binge eating disorder
Bulimia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa
Other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED)

Binge Eating Disorder

People with binge eating disorder feel unable to stop themselves from eating and can eat a very large amount of food in a short space of time, even when they feel full.

Here are some signs that someone might have binge eating disorder:

Feeling a lack of control around food or eating
Eating large amounts of food regularly, even when they’re not hungry
Feelings of embarrassment, guilt or disgust about overeating
Sensitive to comments around food, weight or appearance
Feeling extremely upset or anxious after overeating
Eating to the point of feeling uncomfortably full
Being secretive about what they eat and when
Eating alone, in secret or avoiding social events around food
Shoplifting food or spending large amounts of money on food
Hoarding or hiding food and food wrappers around the house
Feelings of embarrassment, guilt or disgust about overeating
Experiencing anxiety, depression, irritability or low self-esteem
Avoiding questions about eating and weight
Continuing to eat even though they feel full

Bulimia Nervosa

Like binge eating disorder, people with bulimia nervosa eat a large amount of food in a short period (bingeing) but then take action to get rid of this food (purging), such as vomiting, over-exercising or not eating for a long period.

Here are some signs that someone might have bulimia nervosa:

Fearful of gaining weight
Putting on or losing weight really quickly
Having a distorted body image or low self-esteem
Feeling depressed, anxious or guilty - especially at meal times
Preoccupation with eating, food, body shape and weight
Fasting, counting calories or avoiding food groups
Excessive or compulsive exercise, even when sick or injured
Vomiting, misusing laxatives or appetite suppressants
Going to the bathroom during or shortly after meals
Disappearance of food or buying lots of food and hiding it
Using drugs (legal or illegal) inappropriately to control weight
Eating in private and avoiding meals with others
Sensitive to comments about food, weight, body shape or exercise
Physical signs like tooth decay, feeling tired, dizziness

Anorexia Nervosa

People with anorexia have intense fear of gaining weight and reduce the amount of food they eat, which leads them to being significantly underweight. Some may also binge, purge or exercise excessively.

Here are some signs that someone might have anorexia nervosa:

Limiting food intake, avoiding or skipping meals
Problems with body image or denial of being underweight
Preoccupied with food, body shape, weight or appearance
Counting calories, constant dieting or avoiding food groups
Low self-esteem (guilt, self-criticism, worthlessness)
Rigid thinking (‘black and white’, eg. there are ‘good and bad’ foods)
Saying they’ve eaten when they haven’t or hiding uneaten food
Sensitive to comments about body shape, weight or eating
Vomiting, misusing laxatives or appetite suppressants
Changes in their clothing style or appearance
Avoiding situations involving food or spending more time alone
Rituals around food (cutting into small pieces, eating slowly)
Repetitive body-checking (weighing, looking in the mirror)
Excessive or compulsive exercise, even if injured or sick
Rapid weight loss
Heightened anxiety around meal times
Feeling faint, dizzy, tired or cold all the time
Intense fear of gaining weight

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)

People with OSFED have many of the symptoms of the other eating disorders, but don’t meet all the symptoms needed for a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder.

Here are some signs that someone might have OSFED:

Weight loss or weight gain
Preoccupation with food, eating, weight or body shape
Distorted body image and low self-esteem
Feelings of shame or guilt, especially after eating
Sensitive to comments around food, weight or body shape
Skipping meals, counting calories or avoiding certain food groups
Binge eating or eating at unusual times
Going to the bathroom during or shortly after meals
Excessive or compulsive exercise, even if injured or sick
Repetitive body-checking (weighing, looking in the mirror)
Saying they’ve eaten when they haven’t or hiding uneaten food
Avoiding situations involving food, or spending more time alone
Physical signs like feeling faint or dizzy

Eating disorders can have a devastating impact on someone’s health. It’s important to seek support for your child as soon as you notice any warning signs.

There's help available

If you think that your child is showing signs of an eating disorder, it’s important to seek support as soon as possible.

There is a Parentline service in each state and territory that provides counselling and guidance on any parenting issue. Try calling them for more support and strategies.

Encourage your child to contact Kids Helpline and speak to one of our counsellors for some additional support - they can call us or start a WebChat.

If you are looking for more digital services and resources, check out Meicare Mental Health.