There are typically three types of eating disorders: bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. The Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success says, “Bulimia nervosa is characterized by the eating of large amounts of food in short periods of time (i.e., binge eating) followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent gaining weight. It also involves feeling out of control during binges, and self-esteem is overly dependent on body image.”
The OMNSS defines anorexia nervosa as, “Inadequate food intake and a low body weight, which can lead to starvation, excessive weight loss, and in extreme cases, death.”
Binge eating disorder, as explained by the Mayo Clinic, is when “you regularly eat too much food (binge) and feel a lack of control over your eating. You may eat quickly or eat more food than intended, even when you're not hungry, and you may continue eating even long after you're uncomfortably full.”