5 Rare Eating Disorders You Should Know About

Eating disorders are serious conditions that are among the deadliest mental health conditions. Over 30 million people have had an eating disorder at some point. This condition requires the medical attention of both mental and physical healthcare providers. Without proper treatment, it can lead to severe health complications and increase the risk of developing underlying conditions.

Several years ago, making a diagnosis of eating disorders was complex. But now, doctors have enough knowledge to diagnose and treat even the rarest eating disorders successfully. Below are 5 lesser-known eating disorders that you need to know about.

1. Purging disorder

Purging disorder is a type of eating disorder associated with “purging” behavior. This behavior is aimed to lose weight and manage body shape. People with this condition practice overuse of laxatives, excessive exercising, frequent fasting diets, and self-induced vomiting. Because of abnormal eating habits, you may feel severe emotional stress and social isolation. It is important to note, that purging disorder can affect everyone regardless of age, sex, and race.

Untreated purging disorder can increase your risk of dental health problems, pregnancy complications, digestive issues, and nutrient deficiency. The treatment of this condition depends on the severity of symptoms and varies from person to person. Treatment usually includes psychotherapy and nutrition counseling.

2. Orthorexia

Orthorexia is a serious mental health condition that causes an obsession with healthy foods and diet. People with this condition usually don’t worry about the quantity of the foods but about their quality. The goal of a patient with orthorexia is to eat healthy foods and get maximum health benefits, rather than to lose weight. Risk factors like perfectionism, high anxiety, or a need for control are precursors to orthorexia.

Although people with orthorexia focus on healthy eating, they often experience complications like anemia or malnutrition. This can lead to hormonal problems and affect the work of all body organs.

3. Pica

Pica is another rare eating disorder. It leads to compulsive eating of items that are dangerous or have no nutritional value. This includes ice, cigarette ashes, pieces of metal, soap, and other non-food items. This condition usually affects children, pregnant women, and people with intellectual disabilities. While there is no single proven cause of pica, it could be caused by a deficiency of certain nutrients or underlying mental health conditions.

Untreated pica can cause several complications like poisoning, infections, and intestinal blockage. Because people with pica tend to chew different hard items, they often suffer from TMJ syndrome symptoms like pain in the jaw.

4. Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder is another rare but very serious eating disorder. People with this condition frequently consume big portions of foods and cannot stop eating. You may understand the need to stop eating, but will be unable to resist the urges. Most people with this disorder have excessive weight or are obese. The attempts of people with binge eating disorder to eat healthy portions can aggravate the symptoms and result in more binge eating.

A binge eating disorder can increase your risk of other mental and physical health conditions. People with this disorder often have medical problems like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, and bipolar disorder. The treatment usually includes psychotherapy and medical therapy.

5. Rumination syndrome

Rumination syndrome is a condition when a person spits up undigested foods from the stomach, chews them and swallows. Because food is undigested, it tastes like normal food. The episodes of rumination can happen at each meal or immediately after it. The regurgitation of the foods isn’t self-induced and people spit up foods unintentionally.

Untreated rumination syndrome can cause severe damage to your airways, mouth, and dental health. The treatment of rumination syndrome usually includes behavior therapy and medications.