Eating disorders are serious, often life-threatening and the conditions tend to be chronic. They usually arise in adolescence and disproportionately affect females. About three percent of young women have one of the three main eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa involves an irrational fear of becoming fat that leads to self-starvation. Bulimia and binge-eating disorders both involve binging on large amounts of caloric foods, but persons with bulimia also purge the unwanted calories, most often by vomiting or laxative use.

Getting Help
If you have concerns or questions, help is available. Go to the find help section of this site for support and services in your area.

Sources: Wisconsin United for Mental Health, Office of the United States Surgeon General, National Institute on Mental Health, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Mental Health America

Browse Mental Health Conditions by Letter:

A

B

D

E

G

M

O

P

S

T