Anorexia Nervosa

  1. restriction of energy intake relative to requirements,

  2. weight that is less than minimally normal

  3. significant weight loss

  4. intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat

  5. disturbance in the way in which one's body appearance is experienced

Bulimia Nervosa

  1. recurrent episodes of binge eating defined as eating amounts of food that are definitely larger than what most individuals would consume within that same time perio

  2. sense of lack of control over eating during an episode

  3. recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise

  4. episodes occur at least once per week over a period of 3 months

  5. value of self is based almost entirely on body and shape

  6. the disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa

Binge-Eating Disorder

  1. recurrent episodes of binge eating defined as eating amounts of food that are definitely larger than what most individuals would consume within that same time period

  2. sense of lack of control over eating during an episode

  3. episodes are characterized by:eating much more rapidly than normal, eating large amounts when not physically hungry, eating alone due to shame, feeling disgusted, depressed, and/or very guilty afterward

  4. marked distress regarding binge eating is present

  5. episodes occur on average at least once per week over the period of 3 months

  6. there is no inappropriate compensatory behavior: induced vomiting, taking laxatives, etc

Orthorexia, although not listed as a formal diagnosis in the DSM-V, is a very real and widespread form of disordered eating. The illness is characterized by:

  1. compulsive checking of ingredient lists and nutritional labels

  2. an increase in concern about the health of ingredients

  3. the cutting out of an increasing number of food groups (all sugar, all carbs, all dairy, all meat, all animal products-not for ethical reasons

  4. an inability to eat anything but a narrow group of foods that are deemed ‘healthy’ or ‘pure’

  5. an unusual interest in the health of what others are eating

  6. spending hours per day thinking about what food might be served at upcoming events

  7. showing high levels of distress when ‘safe’ or ‘healthy’ foods aren’t available

  8. obsessive following of food and ‘healthy lifestyle’ blogs on social media

  9. body image concerns may or may not be present