Within Learn: eating disorder articles
Browse our library for in-depth, up-to-date, and medically-reviewed resources, eating disorder articles, co-occurring mental health conditions, treatment options, and a wealth of other eating disorder information.
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Can you be addicted to exercise?
Exercise is an important part of health and wellness for both the body and mind. For years, it’s been...
The importance of intersectionality in eating disorder treatment and research
Eating disorders affect people of all genders, sexual orientations, races, cultures, weights, sizes, and...
Therapy for eating disorders
Overcoming an eating disorder can be a long and challenging journey. But it doesn't have to be taken alone...
Learning to develop distress tolerance skills
Life can be challenging, as it’s full of ups and downs, meaning most people will have to navigate through...
Diet culture is rooted in racism, white supremacy, and colonialism
Toxic diet culture is a pervasive and insidious influence on our lives. Many people may recognize its...
Can your heart recover from bulimia?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder characterized by a cycle of restricting food, binging, and...
What to do if you feel like binge eating
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States, with an estimated 2.8...
What are the stages in bulimia recovery?
If you've decided the time is right to enter treatment for your eating disorder, you're probably wondering...
The link between medical trauma and eating disorders
When people think of traumatic events, they likely think of a one-time terrifying or disturbing event, such...
What interventions are effective for individuals with anorexia nervosa?
If you have a friend or family member living with anorexia nervosa (AN), you are probably wondering how you...
Treating bulimia and anemia
Bulimia and anemia tend to coexist. Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a type of eating disorder involving restricting...
The similarities between anorexia nervosa and orthorexia
Anorexia nervosa (AN) and orthorexia nervosa (ON) can often be confused with each other due to the similar...
Blind weigh-ins and how to say "no" to being weighed
Getting weighed and having your blood pressure taken are often the first two things you do when you go to...
How to stop stress eating
Life can get stressful, and everyone has their own ways of dealing with stress. Unfortunately, many people...
Eating disorder symptoms
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect more people than breast cancer, HIV, and...
The relationship between grief and eating disorders
Experiencing a significant loss, whether you lose a loved one, relationship, passion, job, or home, can...
Eating disorder awareness
Eating disorders are believed to affect at least nine percent of the population worldwide, with an...
22 body neutral affirmations
Loving how your body looks can feel difficult or impossible when living in a cultural environment where...
Can bulimia cause high cholesterol?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) causes many short-term physical effects. However, long-ranging health concerns are...
Antidepressants and bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a debilitating and dangerous eating disorder that can lead to numerous health...
Bulimia facts and statistics
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder characterized by a recurrent cycle of binging and purging...
How to be anti-racist as an eating disorder therapist
Eating disorder treatment tends to mirror society in many ways, including the history and prevalence of...
How to tell your parents you have bulimia
If you've been struggling with eating, binging, and purging behaviors, or a poor body image, you may have...
The relationship between orthorexia and bulimia
Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is a more recently acknowledged disorder. While yet to be recognized by the DSM...
Bulimia nervosa in men
Bulimia nervosa (BN) may be one of the most widely-recognized eating disorders in the United States...
Exposure therapy for eating disorders
Exposure therapy is a type of therapy used to treat eating disorders, phobias, and anxiety. It is typically...
PTSD and eating disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders commonly co-occur, which can complicate recovery...
Creating a body-positive and anti-diet culture at home
Let’s face it—diet culture is everywhere, from food labels and advertisements to TV and social media...
Compulsion and eating disorders
Do you sometimes feel the urge to eat large quantities of food or exercise excessively, to cope with...
Tips for recovering from bulimia nervosa at home
Although experiencing bulimia nervosa (BN), a serious eating disorder, can be challenging and scary, many...
Cheat meals linked to eating disorders in teens and young adults
A new study published by the Journal of Eating Disorders has found a connection between "cheat meals"...
What causes eating disorders?
When you or one of your loved ones is suffering from an eating disorder, it may be tempting to look for...
Types of eating disorders
There are many different types of eating disorders, each with its own unique set of challenges in treatment...
Using self-compassion and radical acceptance to overcome perfectionism in eating disorder recovery
Perfectionism is a trait many people can have and is associated with eating disorders. And often...
Supplements and medication misuse
It can be tempting to look for a quick fix if you’re struggling with thoughts about your weight or have...
Diabetes and eating disorders
Diabetes and eating disorders are both serious conditions that can negatively affect a person’s physical...
Complex trauma and eating disorders
You may be familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is an anxiety disorder that results...
Disproving the obesity paradox: Why it’s not a paradox at all
The “obesity paradox” is not only a fatphobic and stigmatizing term, but it’s also misleading since...
How body positivity can exclude trans people
Although some people find hope, acceptance, and empowerment within the body positive movement...
Learn about eating disorder treatment
There’s a reason people refer to eating disorder recovery as a journey. The path to getting well is...
“Perfecting” perfection - uncovering problematic celebrity photoshopping
Perfection does not exist; therefore, it is an unattainable standard. Why are we so focused on labeling...
12 non-diet New Year’s resolutions
With the winter holidays just around the corner, you may have begun....
Why you shouldn’t ring in the new year with a diet
As we approach the holidays, you may feel pressure to kick the new...
Aftercare for eating disorders
When you approach the end of your residential or partial hospital program...
What is comorbidity?
You may have heard the term comorbidity when learning more about...
What to look for in an eating disorder therapist
Seeking treatment for an eating disorder can help you to overcome body...
Normalizing weight gain after anorexia recovery
Many individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) struggle with an intense...
Bulimia’s impact on your sleep
Bulimia nervosa (BN) can have a significant impact on numerous aspects of...
Helpful interventions for eating disorders
If you suspect your loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, it can...
Eating disorder complications on your health
It’s common for those with eating disorders to believe they are not “sick...
Disordered eating vs. eating disorder
While disordered eating and an eating disorder share many risk factors, signs...
Trauma-informed care for eating disorders
There is a strong link between eating disorders, like anorexia nervosa...
Examining ARFID vs. anorexia
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and anorexia nervosa (AN) share...
8 foods that boost serotonin
Knowing how to increase your serotonin levels can have several benefits to...
Cognitive behavioral therapy for anorexia
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the leading evidence-based...
6 tips for redirecting and deflecting discussions about weight and diet
We live in a culture in which diet culture is extremely pervasive. We...
19 tips for meal planning during eating disorder recovery
Returning home after an eating disorder treatment program can feel...
Group therapy for eating disorders
Group therapy is a type of treatment used to treat many mental health...
What to look for in a quality eating disorder treatment program
With so many eating disorder treatment programs available today, both...
Eating disorders in the military population
Eating disorders affect the military population, due in part to the...
8 helpful tips for navigating eating disorder recovery during the holidays
Eating disorder recovery is full of ups and downs, successes and setbacks, and...
HAES in the LGBTQ+ community
The LGBTQ+ community, much like the rest of our Western society, is rife with anti...
Eating disorders and neurodivergence
Eating disorders commonly occur in neurodivergent individuals, such as those...
Psychological causes of bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a psychiatric disorder that involves recurrent episodes...
Does bulimia cause hearing loss?
Most people are familiar with the digestive system complications bulimia...
How to safely manage weight in bulimia recovery
When in bulimia recovery, or after recovering from another eating disorder...
How to prevent a laxative overdose
Laxatives are helpful when used occasionally to alleviate constipation. But...
Laxatives and stomach cramps
While laxatives may relieve constipation associated with some illnesses, such as...
The relationship between bulimia and anxiety
Co-occurring mental health conditions are common among individuals who live with...
Borderline personality disorder and anorexia nervosa
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders, such as anorexia...
Why does bulimia cause broken blood vessels?
Attempts at vomiting put extra pressure on the blood vessels of the...
How to stop late night eating
If you find yourself frequently binging in the evening hours, you may be wondering...
Study reveals Americans’ dieting habits in 2022
We surveyed more than 900 Americans to find out about their experience and history with dieting.
Most popular self-care activity in each state
We surveyed more than 800 Americans to ask if they make time for self-care, and what it looks like for them.
Differences between anorexia and anorexia nervosa
The two terms “anorexia” and “anorexia nervosa” have different meanings. When...
What is bulimia bloat?
Bulimia bloat refers to the distended belly that commonly occurs in people who...
Which digestive problems does bulimia cause?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) affects as many as 300 women per 100,000 women between the...
How long can the body go without food?
Just how long can the body go without food? And what are the implications...
How to tell if you have an eating disorder
Following a balanced way of eating that provides the body with the fuel and...
Bulimia during pregnancy: What to expect
Pregnancy can be momentous and miraculous, but can bulimia affect...
Bulimia and alcohol addiction
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder associated with multiple negative...
How does anorexia nervosa affect mental health?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder that leads to a fixation on...
Why does bulimia shaking occur?
Shaking, or trembling, can sometimes occur after purging in individuals with...
What to expect when getting binge eating disorder help
You’ve finally decided to get professional help for your binge eating disorder...
Can stomach ulcers develop from bulimia?
The connection between bulimia and stomach ulcers is due to stomach...
Anorexia's effect on your organs
All organs are affected by anorexia nervosa (AN) and starvation, some...
Bulimia nervosa and thyroid issues
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder characterized by binging and...
When is overeating or emotional eating an eating disorder?
Most people have some sort of emotional eating trigger. Eating becomes a way...
Why listing calories on menus can be harmful
England recently passed a policy requiring all restaurants, cafes, and takeaways...
Weight stigma in healthcare settings
Weight stigma, which is often referred to as weight bias, is discrimination...
Why does anorexia bloating occur?
Bloating is something that can occur in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and cause...
Women's eating disorder treatment
Women are statistically the most affected demographic when it comes to eating...
Why using the word obese is a problem
How often have you seen in the news a proclamation that “obesity is the largest...
Why anorexia causes bruising
Bruising in the body results from outside pressure to the skin and tissue, such as a...
Why am I eating so much?
Anyone can have a complicated relationship with food, particularly in American culture...
What is thin privilege?
Thin privilege describes the advantages that thinner people have because they meet...
What is stress-induced anorexia?
People with anorexia nervosa (AN) often experience high anxiety and stress levels...
What is the restricting type of anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa restricting type describes someone who restricts their food intake...
Featured articles
The importance of family during eating disorder recovery
When it comes to eating disorder treatment and recovery, family and loved...
What is health at every size?
Health at Every Size (HAES) is an alternative approach to healthcare that proposes...
Therapy for eating disorders
Overcoming an eating disorder can be a long and challenging journey. But it doesn't have to be taken alone...
What is exercise addiction?
Yes, there is such a thing as too much exercise. As important as moving our bodies is...
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Anorexia
What causes anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a very serious eating disorder, second only to opioid use as the...
What are the long term effects of anorexia?
In individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), some may experience its effects in the...
The dangers of anorexiant diet pills
Anorexiant diet pills have increased dangers for those with an eating disorder. There...
Signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious illness that may manifest in several ways...
Is anorexia a disease?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is not a disease. A disease is when there is a harmful change in...
Anorexia nervosa statistics: gender, race and socioeconomics
When examining anorexia statistics, or eating disorder rates in general, the results...
What is anorexia nervosa (AN)?
More than 28 million Americans, or roughly 9% of the population, will experience...
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Binge eating disorder
Why am I eating so much?
Anyone can have a complicated relationship with food, particularly in American culture...
What causes binge eating disorder?
Since it was first officially recognized in 2013, binge eating disorder (BED) has...
Understanding the connection of dopamine and binge eating
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter the brain produces. The nervous system uses dopamine...
Signs and symptoms of binge eating disorder
The prevalence of binge eating disorder (BED) is on the rise in the US, with an...
BED of low frequency and/or limited duration
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United...
What is binge eating disorder (BED)?
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States...
How food insecurity can lead to binge eating disorder
There are many known risk factors for eating disorders, such as a history...
Binge eating disorder and the trauma of weight stigma
Someone who is struggling with binge eating disorder experiences recurring...
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Body image
Body image problems and solutions: chasing unrealistic beauty standards
Over the last 100 years, the notion of what qualifies as attractive has varied...
How to deal with and overcome body insecurity
Your body image is how you see your own body, and how you feel about what you perceive...
The racist history of fatphobia and weight stigma
Fatphobia and weight stigma are insidious forces in our society. Fatphobia...
The devastating effects of Instagram and body image
A recent study has revealed that social media apps, such as Instagram and...
Improving your body image in bulimia recovery
Improving body image is one of many individuals’ most challenging parts of bulimia...
How gender dysphoria affects body image
Gender presentation, identity, and body image are inherently linked. This...
Healthism: When a focus on healthy living becomes problematic
Healthism refers to a set of attitudes and beliefs that health is the most...
What is body neutrality and why is it important in eating disorder recovery?
Body neutrality is a body image movement that is slowly replacing body...
All about
Bulimia
What is non-purging bulimia?
Non-purging bulimia is a type of bulimia nervosa (BN) in which excessive exercise...
What causes bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious eating disorder that has many different causes, which...
Signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious illness that can be life threatening when left un...
How to tell your loved ones you have bulimia
Telling your loved ones, family, or parents that you have bulimia nervosa (BN) can...
How to talk about bulimia nervosa
When you’re living with an eating disorder, like bulimia nervosa (BN), you can get...
How to stop bulimia
Bulimia nervosa is a complex eating disorder that often comes with feelings of...
What is bulimia nervosa (BN)?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder that affects between 0.5% and 1.5% of...
All about
Eating disorders
Types of eating disorders
There are many different types of eating disorders, each with its own unique set of challenges in treatment...
Unpacking the fear of eating in front of others
For many of us, sharing meals with others or going out to eat are the primary ways...
The differences between bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa (BN) and anorexia nervosa (AN) are two of the most well-known...
Comparing bulimia and binge eating disorder
Bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) are two different eating disorders...
What causes an eating disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective
Eating disorders are complex and severe psychiatric illnesses that can...
Signs a loved one may be at risk of an eating disorder relapse
Recovery is a lifelong process for those who have struggled or...
8 eating disorder myths
Many misconceptions about eating disorders are stigmatizing and harmful to those...
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Anorexia issues
Why does anorexia bloating occur?
Bloating is something that can occur in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and cause...
Why anorexia causes bruising
Bruising in the body results from outside pressure to the skin and tissue, such as a...
What are the effects of anorexia on teeth and oral health?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a mental health disorder that can lead to...
Mental health and physical medical complications of anorexia nervosa
Individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa (AN) are in danger of developing a...
Understanding yellow skin in anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious medical condition that can cause damage to the...
How anorexia nervosa affects your hands
You may not realize that the eating disorder anorexia nervosa (AN) can affect every part of the human body...
Does anorexia cause parotid gland swelling?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) does cause parotid gland swelling, particularly if AN is...
Anorexia’s effect on hair growth
One body system, among others, that anorexia nervosa (AN) impacts is the...
All about
BED issues
What is binge eating, and how does it affect the body?
Binge eating is when a person eats a large amount of food quickly in one sitting...
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Bulimia issues
How bulimia can (permanently) affect your teeth
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious psychiatric disorder that involves frequent...
What are the complications of bulimia?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) can be a particularly difficult disorder to endure, both...
The relationship between bulimia, skin, and acne
The dehydration and malnutrition that can occur in those with bulimia nervosa can do...
Is there a relationship between bulimia, acid reflux, and GERD?
Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are medical conditions that...
Is hair loss a symptom of bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder that can lead to many medical comp...
How does bulimia affect the jaw?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder that affects many parts of the body, incl...
How bulimia affects your period
Bulimia nervosa (BN) may cause changes in your menstrual cycle, or period. It has...
How bulimia affects your knuckles
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious eating disorder, in which people engage in eating...
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Co-occurring disorders
How to stop anxiety eating
If you turn to food when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, you’re not...
Understanding depression and eating disorders
When someone enters treatment for an eating disorder, it is important they receive...
Treating ARFID and autism
ARFID, which stands for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, is an eating disorder...
The relationship between anxiety, depression, and overeating
Our memories surrounding food date back to some of our earliest needs and em...
The relationship between anorexia nervosa and anxiety disorders
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder in which individuals are concerned about...
The relationship between ADHD and binge eating disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorder (BED)...
How does OCD and eating disorders interact
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders are two distinctive conditions...
Food aversion and OCD
When we think of eating disorders, we often imagine someone who has anorexia nervosa...
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How to help
Women's eating disorder treatment
Women are statistically the most affected demographic when it comes to eating...
Treatment of eating disorder in teen girls
Eating disorders are serious conditions that can affect anyone at any age. How...
Eating disorder treatment programs for male teens
Eating disorders can be very distressing for teen boys, and may have detr...
Eating disorder treatment programs for men
Men are affected by eating disorders like any other gender. Millions of men struggle...
Eating disorder treatment programs for LGBTQIA+ people
Eating disorders are common in the LGBTQIA+ community. Research has consistently...
How to help a friend with an eating disorder
When someone you care about is struggling with an eating disorder, it can be difficult...
Eating disorder treatment programs for children
Eating disorders among children are very serious, and can be potentially life...
How to help someone with an eating disorder
If you are concerned a loved one has an eating disorder, we understand you...
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Nutrition counseling
What is diet culture?
You’ve probably heard of the term “diet culture” if you’ve spent any time immersed in...
Nutrition counseling
Nutrition counseling is a form of eating disorder treatment that is part of a...
Learning the intuitive eating principles
Intuitive eating is an approach to eating based on responding to the body’s...
Is it bad to eat at night?
You might have heard that it’s somehow harmful to eat late at night. Diet culture...
Why we should avoid labeling food as good or bad
Have you ever referred to certain foods as “bad” or “good?” Maybe you say things...
What is intuitive eating?
Intuitive eating is an eating practice that involves listening to your body’s hunger...
Strategies for grocery shopping in eating disorder recovery
After you’ve finished a higher level of care like inpatient eating...
Is intermittent fasting disordered eating?
Intermittent fasting is a relatively popular diet regimen involving periods of...
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OSFED
What causes atypical anorexia nervosa?
Atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) is a serious eating disorder that shares many of...
Signs and symptoms of atypical bulimia nervosa
The signs and symptoms of atypical bulimia nervosa (ABN) are similar to those...
Atypical anorexia nervosa symptoms
Atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) shares many of the same characteristics as anorexia...
What is purging disorder?
Purging disorder is an eating disorder that involves purging to lose weight or change...
What is night eating syndrome?
Night eating syndrome (NES) is a sleep-related eating disorder where a person eats more food at night than...
How to stop eating at night
Night eating syndrome is characterized by recurrent episodes of night eating...
What is atypical anorexia nervosa?
While atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) may share characteristics of anorexia nervosa...
What is atypical bulimia nervosa?
Atypical bulimia nervosa (ABN) is a form of bulimia nervosa (BN) that affects...
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Self help
Self-help and eating disorder treatment
Human resolve can be a formidable force in any endeavor. Recovering from an...
United states of burnout
A new report from Within Health finds which cities are the most burned out, and...
Why you should ditch the “new year, new you” mentality
It’s that time of year again. Everyone is making New Year’s resolutions, even...
How to thrive during the holidays while recovering from an eating disorder
The holidays are just around the corner, and given the rollout of vaccines...
How to overcome shame in eating disorder recovery
Shame is extremely common among people struggling with eating disorders...
How to shop for clothes in eating disorder recovery
It’s natural to gain or lose some weight during eating disorder treatment as...
Can you exercise during eating disorder recovery?
Exercise is a great way to promote physical, mental, and emotional well...
Can gardening aid in eating disorder recovery?
Professionally guided gardening, or horticultural therapy, is a type of therapy...
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Therapy
Exposure therapy for eating disorders
Exposure therapy is a type of therapy used to treat eating disorders, phobias, and anxiety. It is typically...
Self-help and eating disorder treatment
Human resolve can be a formidable force in any endeavor. Recovering from an...
Medical nutrition therapy for eating disorder recovery
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is an evidence-based treatment option for eating...
Group therapy for eating disorder treatment
Eating disorders affect everyone, with research estimating that nine percent of...
Family-based therapy for treating eating disorders
Family therapy is an umbrella term for many different therapies involving family members and their loved ones.
Exposure therapy for eating disorder treatment
Exposure therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) originally developed...
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for eating disorders
Dialectical behavior therapy can effectively treat eating disorders by teaching...
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for eating disorders
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychological treatment for eating...
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Treatment
Learn about eating disorder treatment
There’s a reason people refer to eating disorder recovery as a journey. The path to getting well is...
Exercise addiction treatment & recovery
Exercise addiction is an eating disorder that can do serious damage to the body, with up...
Night eating syndrome treatment
Night eating syndrome (NES) is a highly disruptive eating disorder affecting as many as...
Treatment of pregorexia, pregnancy-related eating disorders
Pregnancy-related eating disorders, also called pregorexia, encompass any eating disorders...
Orthorexia treatment plan
Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is a serious eating disorder that can be very tricky to detect, as...
Diabulimia treatment & recovery
Diabulimia is a complex eating disorder that involves the deliberate underuse or...
How to find anorexia nervosa treatment options
Treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) may involve a cohesive multidisciplinary team consisting...
How to find a bulimia nervosa treatment plan
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a dangerous and potentially deadly disorder, affecting more than...
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UFED
Unspecified feeding or eating disorders (UFED)
UFED stands for unspecified feeding and eating disorder. This diagnosis applies...
What is rumination disorder?
Rumination disorder, also referred to as rumination syndrome, is a rare and...
Chew and spit disorder (CHSP)
While some people with eating disorders strictly limit their food intake, and others struggle with...