Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders

Disordered eating versus eating disorders - in so many ways, they are very similar, but there are also some key differences. Today, we’re digging deeper into the differences between disordered eating and eating disorders, how an eating disorder is diagnosed, and what the differences in care are. At Namaste Nourished, we want to help people feel their best, find nourishment and satisfaction in their food and body, and live a life according to their values. Whether it’s disordered eating or eating disorders, we care, and want to help you or your loved one. Read on for more.

Signs and Symptoms of Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders

Columbia Center for Eating Disorders has an eating behavior spectrum, which ranges from normal eating on one end, to an eating disorder on the other. As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, diet culture has a strong hold on our society, where many disordered thoughts or behaviors have been normalized, even though they are not normal in the eyes of those who treat eating disorders (Latent Eating Disorders: When Disordered Eating Hides in Plain Sight, Eating Disorders in Men, Eating Disorders in Midlife and Beyond, Eating Disorder Myths and Facts, Emotional vs. Physical Hunger).

Signs and Symptoms of an eating disorder includes:

• Preoccupation with food and/or body

• Fluctuations in weight (both up and down)

• Changes in food intake

• Withdrawal from social situations

• Restricting, purging, or binge eating behaviors

• Abuse of diet pills or laxatives

• Mood swings

• Eating in isolation

• Feeling guilty after eating, or after skipping a workout

• Physical symptoms include:

  • Feeling cold or cold extremities

  • Dizziness or fainting

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Dental problems

  • Menstrual irregularities

  • Dry skin, hair, and/or nails

  • Hair loss

  • Gastrointestinal issues

How an Eating Disorder is Different

An eating disorder is a complex biopsychosocial mental health diagnosis. A diagnosis is made by either a primary care provider, a therapist, or a psychiatrist. While each eating disorder has different diagnostic criteria according to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), all take into account the frequency of behaviors, duration of behaviors, patterns, and associated psychological and/or physiological indications. While the term “disordered eating” can encompass any behaviors or thoughts that are abnormal or rigid, there are seven recognized eating disorders- Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder (BED), Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED), Rumination Disorder and Pica. Each of these diagnoses has their own criteria, and there is also a diagnosis of Eating Disorder, Unspecified, which has explicit criteria for diagnoses.

While the DSM is very comprehensive, sometimes eating disorders are missed by not fitting into the exact boxes. People may under-report their behaviors or be in denial about them. They may feel guilt or shame, and many people with eating disorders are also people pleasers, and don’t want to disappoint their providers. Symptoms may ebb and flow or change in frequency or type overtime, changing the reports. All that is to say that someone without an eating disorder diagnosis may have an eating disorder, but also may not. Vigilance in observation and early intervention makes a world of difference, and persistence is absolutely necessary.

What Does Treatment Look Like?

Treatment for disordered eating or an eating disorder often looks the same. At Namaste Nourished, we treat the person and their behaviors, rather than the specific diagnosis. A diagnosis doesn’t change anything about how we approach our work. We want to help people live their life the way they desire, and however we can help to support that, we will. That being said, someone with an eating disorder has more frequent and/or serious behaviors that need additional support. A treatment team for both disordered eating and eating disorders may include a primary care provider, a therapist, and a dietitian. There may be more providers or more frequent appointments, but the work and support is whatever each individual needs. A therapist can help dig into why behaviors and thoughts are happening. A primary care provider helps to keep an eye on labs and physical issues that may be caused by the behaviors. A dietitian will help with meal planning, food exposures, individualized nutrition education, and helping to increase the variety of foods on your plate. Want to know more? We wrote a blog on why you need a dietitian in eating disorder recovery- check it out here.

Early intervention makes a huge difference in preventing disordered eating from becoming an eating disorder, and from an eating disorder becoming worse. If something feels off, you deserve support. You don’t have to fit into a specific box to receive the care you need. Reach out to Namaste Nourished to learn more and see how we can help you.

References

National Alliance for Eating Disorders. (2023, July 6). Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders–What’s the Difference? National Alliance for Eating Disorders. https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/disordered-eating-vs-eating-disorders-whats-the-difference/

Roth, JM. (2016, April 13). Where Do You Fall on the Eating Behavior Spectrum? The Feed Blog. https://thefeedblog.com/2016/04/13/where-do-you-fall-on-the-eating-behavior-spectrum/

The Emily Program. (2019, August 28). Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders: What’s the Tipping Point? The Emily Program Blog. https://emilyprogram.com/blog/disordered-eating-vs-eating-disorders-whats-the-tipping-point/

Thiefels, J. (2024, April 10). Disordered Eating vs Eating Disorder: How to Differentiate the Two. Project HEAL. https://www.theprojectheal.org/blog/disordered-eating-vs-eating-disorder