What’s the Difference Between Disordered Eating and an Eating Disorder?
Eating is an essential part of life, yet for many people, their relationship with food becomes complicated. You may have heard the terms disordered eating and eating disorders, but what do they really mean? More importantly, how do you know if your eating habits are cause for concern? Let’s break down the key differences and what you can do if you’re struggling.
What Is Disordered Eating?
Disordered eating refers to a range of irregular eating behaviors that may not meet the clinical criteria for a diagnosable eating disorder but can still negatively impact physical and mental health. Some common signs of disordered eating include:
Frequent dieting or trying different food rules
Skipping meals or restricting certain foods
Feeling guilt or shame after eating
Obsessing over calories, weight, or food choices
Emotional or stress-related eating
Exercising excessively to “burn off” food
Ignoring hunger and fullness cues
While disordered eating may not always develop into an eating disorder, it can be harmful and affect your overall well-being.
What Are Eating Disorders?
An eating disorder is a mental health condition diagnosed based on specific criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Eating disorders involve severe disturbances in eating behaviors, distressing thoughts about food and body image, and potential medical risks. The most common types of eating disorders include:
Anorexia Nervosa: Restricting food intake to the point of extreme weight loss and fear of gaining weight.
Bulimia Nervosa: Engaging in cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise.
Binge Eating Disorder: Consuming large amounts of food in a short period while feeling a lack of control, often without compensatory behaviors.
ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder): A pattern of avoiding certain foods or food groups, leading to nutritional deficiencies, but without concerns about weight or body image.
Unlike disordered eating, eating disorders significantly disrupt daily life, require professional diagnosis, and often need specialized treatment.
Key Differences Between Disordered Eating & Eating Disorders
Disordered Eating:
Irregular eating patterns but no clinical diagnosis
Preoccupied with food, dieting, and body image
Can negatively impact health and well-being
May be short-term or intermittent
Eating Disorder:
Meets clinical criteria in DSM-5
Intense fear of weight gain or loss of control over eating
Can cause life-threatening medical complications
Persistent, severe, and requires treatment
When to Seek Help
If you’re struggling with food anxiety, obsessive thoughts about eating, or a harmful relationship with food, it’s important to seek support. While disordered eating may not seem “serious enough” to warrant help, it can still cause emotional distress and increase the risk of developing an eating disorder over time. You deserve a healthy relationship with food—no matter where you are on this journey.
Getting Support
At Beyond Nutrition Counseling, I specialize in intuitive eating, disordered eating recovery, and body image support. If you recognize signs of disordered eating or an eating disorder in yourself or a loved one, you don’t have to navigate this alone.