What are eating disorders?
There are a number of different eating disorders - Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and EDNOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified).
Eating disorders are not about food, but are a way of coping with painful feelings that are difficult to talk openly about. The presenting symptom is about food and its control. This seems initially to provide a solution to some of life's problems, but the solution soon becomes part of the problem.
People with eating disorders may have the quality of their life severely constrained for years and in some cases they may die. However, people do recover from eating disorders and early recognition and intervention provide the best prognosis.