The differences between disordered eating and eating disorders
Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses and can be difficult to fit into distinct categories. Many people think of eating disorders as Anorexia Nervosa, which is an eating disorder but not the only type. Other eating disorders include Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder. If you have some but not all of the diagnostic symptoms of an eating disorder or a combination of different eating disorder symptoms, you may be described as having an Other Specified Eating or Feeding Disorder – OSFED. This does not make your condition any less serious and you should still seek to receive help and support.
Disordered eating is a broad term for a range of unhealthy and often distressing eating behaviours. It's not a clinical diagnosis like Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder or Bulimia Nervosa, but rather a pattern of thoughts and actions that don't meet the full criteria for an eating disorder. These behaviours are often a sign of underlying psychological distress and can significantly impact a person's physical and mental health.
Characteristics of Disordered Eating
Disordered eating can manifest in various ways, including:
Restrictive eating: Severely limiting the amount of food eaten, often with a focus on specific food groups.
Binge eating: Feeling a loss of control and eating large amounts of food in one sitting.
Food rituals: Having rigid rules around how and when food is consumed.
Body image preoccupation: An intense and often negative focus on body weight and shape.
Emotional eating: Using food to cope with strong emotions like stress, sadness, elation or anxiety.
Unlike a diagnosed eating disorder, disordered eating will not have a formal diagnosis. However, it can still cause significant distress and, if left unaddressed, can escalate into a serious eating disorder.
SYEDA is not a diagnostic service in that we do not formally diagnose you with a labelled eating disorder, however it is helpful to understand the different categorisations in order to explore what service or support can be most beneficial for you.
