What is an eating disorder?

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect a person’s relationship with food, body image, and self-worth. The term “eating disorders” refers to several related but distinct diagnoses—anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)—which often share overlapping features. While each condition has its own pattern of thoughts and behaviors, all involve deep emotional distress and can have serious physical consequences. With compassionate, specialized treatment, recovery and reconnection to one’s body and self are possible.