General Overview
An eating disorder is a complex psychological illness characterized by a distorted body image, an intense fear of gaining weight, and an obsession with food.
InDepth
- What are eating disorders?
- What are the risk factors?
- What are the symptoms?
- How are they diagnosed?
- How are they treated?
- What are the screening tests?
- How can I reduce my risk?
- What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
Find answers in our in-depth report on eating disorders:
Living With Eating Disorders
In her own words: living with anorexia and bulimia
Read how one woman was able to recover from anorexia and bulimia.
A family's guide to tackling eating disorders
A struggle with an eating disorder is a family affair. What can you do if one of your family members has an eating disorder?
Eating disorders: when food and weight take control
Eating disorders can disrupt school, work, and relationships and cause serious health problems that may require ongoing medical care and even hospitalization. In severe cases, they can cause permanent disability and even death.
Treating Eating Disorders
How to choose a therapist or counselor
Before you jump into therapy, there are important issues that you need to consider.
Group therapy: can it help you?
Although many people can't imagine sharing their problems with a group, group therapy is a way for individuals to work on their problems in a protected and confidential atmosphere.
Mental health practitioners: who’s who?
If you or someone you love needs therapy, it helps to know the difference between the types of mental health professionals.
Special Topics
Osteoporosis, breast cancer, and eating disorders: not just for women
Many men—unaware that these diseases affect both sexes—may fail to recognize symptoms. Likewise, doctors and families often don't suspect these illnesses, which delays therapy and makes disorders difficult to treat.