Eating Disorders vs Disordered Eating

Eating Disorders vs Disordered Eating (some info from amethyst!)

Disordered eating is "a disturbed and unhealthy eating pattern that can include restrictive dieting, compulsive eating or skipping meals."

Eating Disorders (defined as "any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits") are classified by narrow criteria.

The most significant difference between the two is whether or not the person's symptoms meet the criteria.

Disordered eating behaviors are the most common indicators of someone who is in the development of an eating disorder.

Symptoms of Disordered Eating include:
- compulsive eating
- pre-occupation with food/body/exercise (that causes distress and has a negative impact on quality of life)
- extremely rigid and unhealthy food/exercise regime
and other symptoms that are not characteristics of an eating disorder, such as:
- emotional eating
- irregular or chaotic eating patterns
- use of diet pills
- unbalanced eating (restricting a major food group, such as 'fatty' foods)

Most of the time, people who have symptoms of disordered eating do not realize or know it. (I didn't, in fact!)

Part of this is because people who have disordered eating may not display all the "classic" symptoms that are normally identified with eating disorders.

There are many things that can contribute to disordered eating, such as societal pressures, internalizing ideal looks, peer pressure, teasing or bullying, troubled personal/family relationships, stress, depression and many more.

Risks associated with disordered eating can be severe:
- weight gain
- osteoporosis (a condition that leads to bones becoming fragile and easily fractured)
- headaches
- muscle cramps
- fatigue/poor sleep quality

Is it possible to change disordered eating behaviors?

Yes! Always, even if you have had these behaviors for years (like i have) it is possible!

I might post more to this thread if I feel more should be added !