The primary eating disorders diagnosed by professionals include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge-eating disorder. Immediate treatment is recommended for these disorders as they carry with them a very real and substantial risk of serious, prolonged, or fatal physical repercussions. In addition to serious physical risks, many eating disordered individuals also suffer from related neurological or psychological problems. Persons with severe symptoms may need hospitalized to stabilize their medical condition before out-patient counseling begins. Even persons with less severe problems often benefit from counseling.
Sufferers often experience lack of trust in others, low self-esteem, and depression.
They often see themselves as unworthy to be loved, to have success or to be happy, despite having the normal wants and needs that everyone else has. Sometimes they feel that they cannot ask for what they need, though they may be quick to help others meet those same needs. It has long been noted by many professionals that eating disorders at their deeper levels are often not about food or weight. While some people experience a brief period of problems with food, and then spontaneously recover, many people find that the disorders do not remit without help. It takes a great amount of courage to get help with an eating disorder, and many are slow to seek help because the eating disorder is viewed as a necessary coping strategy more than problem.