Main Types Of Eating Disorders

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is another newer eating disorder in the DSM-5. It is similar to anorexia in that both conditions involve significant restrictions in what foods are ‘allowed.’ The main difference between the two is those with ARFID don’t have the same fear of being fat or getting fat. It is also worth noting ARFID means people aren’t getting enough calories to grow properly or maintain healthy body functions. This makes it quite different than just being a picky eater!

Like anorexia, those with ARFID are often underweight, experience dizziness, and have thinning hair. They'll also see irregular menstrual cycles, cold hands and feet, and issues with wound healing. Other physical signs include pain in the abdomen, constipation, and lethargy. There’ll be a lack of interest in food, the types of food eaten will become narrower over time, and they will dress in baggier clothes to hide weight loss.

Rumination Disorder

Rumination disorder is a lesser-known condition that involves the regular regurgitation of food. Specifically, those with this condition regurgitate their food regularly for at least a month. When regurgitation occurs, those with this disorder will swallow it again, chew it again, or even just spit the food out. This will happen without effort.

Those with rumination disorder don’t display signs of distress about regurgitating their food. This means they won’t usually appear upset, disgusted, or stressed. It is important to note that for someone to have rumination disorder, the regurgitation must not appear alongside another eating disorder or medical condition.