Types of Eating Disorders and Their Impact

Posted on: Jun 6, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Types of Eating Disorders and Their Impact

Do you eat too little or too much, feel tired, stressed around food, or unhappy with your body? These could be signs of an eating disorder—a mental health condition where a person has unhealthy thoughts and behaviours around food, eating, weight or body shape. It can affect daily life, like avoiding meals with others or feeling guilty after eating. While these patterns can be tough to change, recognising them and getting help can help you feel better. Read on to learn about the types of eating disorders and how they might affect your well-being.

Common Types of Eating Disorders to Know

The following are the common types of eating disorders:

1. Anorexia (Anorexia Nervosa)

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where a person tries to lose weight by eating very little, even when they are already underweight. They have a deep fear of gaining weight, so they might strictly limit calories, exercise too much or sometimes even binge and purge.

Common signs and symptoms:

• Very low body weight

• Skipping meals or eating very little

• Dizziness, brittle hair/nails, always feeling cold

• Digestive issues

• Depression, anxiety, low energy

2. Bulimia (Bulimia Nervosa)

Bulimia involves cycles of binge eating followed by purging. People with bulimia often feel out of control during binges and use harmful methods to manage their weight.

Common signs and symptoms:

• Eating large amounts of food quickly (binging)

• Vomiting, using laxatives or exercising too much after eating (purging)

• Fasting or skipping meals between binges

• Feeling guilty or ashamed after eating

• Obsession with body shape and weight

3. Binge-Eating Disorder

Like bulimia, binge eating disorder involves eating large amounts of food in a short time. However, unlike bulimia, people with binge eating disorder don’t try to "undo" the binge by vomiting or exercising.

Common signs and symptoms:

• Binges happen at least once a week for 3 months

• Feeling out of control during binges

• Showcasing at least 3 of the following signs:

- Eating quickly and until uncomfortably full

- Eating when not hungry

- Feeling guilty or depressed after eating

- Trying to diet or skip meals after a binge

- Eating alone due to shame

4. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

ARFID is an eating disorder where people have extreme picky eating or avoid certain foods, leading to nutritional problems. It can happen due to reasons like low appetite, sensitivity to food textures or smells, or anxiety about eating, such as fear of choking or feeling sick. Unlike anorexia, people with ARFID don’t worry about body weight or shape.

Common signs and symptoms:

• Very picky eating or avoiding certain foods

• Not eating enough to grow or stay healthy

• Losing weight or not gaining enough weight (especially in kids)

• Worrying about choking, vomiting or feeling sick after eating

Conclusion

Eating disorders can affect anyone, no matter their age, gender or background. While the signs and behaviours may look different for each person, they can seriously impact your body and mind. However, the good news is that recovery is possible with the right support. So, if you or someone you care about is struggling, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

If you are worried about the cost, your mediclaim policy might help cover the treatment. However, make sure to check with your insurer to avoid any hassles later.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

Practice Mindful Eating during the festive season

Health Insurance Will Now Cover Mental Illnesses

Food and How It Keeps Us Healthy – A Handy Guide

11 smart tips to keep your family healthy and happy

Tips To Avoid Common Health Issues During The Festive Season