What is an eating disorder? Eating disorders can affect people of any age, ethnicity, or social or economic background. Eating disorders are not just about food; they can be a way of coping with emotional distress and give the sufferer a feeling of control. They are not about appearance. Nor are they just a "phase" or a symptom of "attention seeking". Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illnesses.
What are the different types of eating disorder? There are three main types, all of which are serious mental health illnesses. The first is anorexia nervosa. Anorexia stems from low self-esteem and sufferers focus on food in an attempt to cope with life. Anorexia involves restricting the amount of food taken in by skipping meals and cutting down on the types and amounts of food eaten. Some people over-exercise as well. People often believe that if they lose weight they will be happier, more popular, or even perhaps noticed less.
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