Here, we will delve into the intricacies of mental health by offering clear and insightful definitions of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and various types of Eating Disorders (ED). Gain a deeper understanding of these conditions as we provide valuable information to foster awareness and understanding.
NB: A full copy of the list is available for download as a PDF at the bottom of the page.
Body dysmorphic disorder
Signs and symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder include:
Being extremely preoccupied with a perceived flaw in appearance that, to others, can't be seen or appears minor
Strong belief that you have a defect in appearance that makes you ugly or deformed
Belief others take special notice of your appearance in a negative way or mock you
Engaging in behaviours aimed at fixing or hiding the perceived flaw that are difficult to resist or control, such as frequently checking the mirror, grooming, or skin picking
Attempting to hide perceived flaws with styling, makeup, or clothes
Constantly comparing your appearance with others
Frequently seeking reassurance about your appearance from others
Having perfectionist tendencies
Seeking cosmetic procedures with little satisfaction
Avoiding social situations
Eating disorders
Anorexia nervosa:
Very restricted eating patterns
Intense fear of gaining weight or persistent behaviours to avoid gaining weight, despite being underweight
A relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a healthy weight
A heavy influence of body weight or perceived body shape on self-esteem
A distorted body image, including denial of being seriously underweight
Bulimia nervosa:
Recurrent episodes of binge eating with a feeling of lack of control
Recurrent episodes of inappropriate purging behaviours to prevent weight gain, including laxative use
Self-esteem overly influenced by body shape and weight
A fear of gaining weight, despite having a typical weight
Binge eating disorder:
Eating large amounts of food rapidly, in secret, and until uncomfortably full, despite not feeling hungry
Feeling a lack of control during episodes of binge eating
Feelings of distress, such as shame, disgust, or guilt, when thinking about the binge eating behaviour
Purging behaviours, such as calorie restriction, excessive exercise, or laxative or diuretic use, to compensate for the binge eating
Pica:
Individuals with pica crave non-food substances such as ice, dirt, soil, chalk, soap, paper, hair, cloth, wool, pebbles, laundry detergent, or cornstarch
Rumination disorder:
It describes a condition in which a person regurgitates food they have previously chewed and swallowed, re-chews it, and then either re-swallows it or spits it out
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder:
Avoidance or restriction of food intake that prevents the person from eating enough calories or nutrients
Eating habits that interfere with typical social functions, such as eating with others
Weight loss or poor development for age and height
Nutrient deficiencies and/or dependence on supplements or tube feeding
Other eating disorders
Purging disorder
Individuals with purging disorder often use purging behaviours, such as vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, or excessive exercising, to control their weight or shape. However, they do not binge.
Night eating syndrome:
Individuals with this syndrome frequently eat excessively at night, often after awakening from sleep.
Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED):
While it is not found in the DSM-5, this category includes any other conditions that have symptoms similar to those of an eating disorder, that don’t fit any of the disorders above.
Download the list as a PDF using the link below.
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