Many people associate the term “restriction” with a deliberate limitation of food intake throughout the day. While calorie/energy restriction is one type of restriction that may lead to binge-eating behaviors, there are many other forms of restriction that can play a role in eating disorder urges and behaviors.
While eating disorders all share certain commonalities, it is essential to distinguish between each type of eating disorder to receive proper individualized care. Orthorexia has gained significant popularity over the past 10-20 years, and while it is not officially recognized as an eating disorder in the DSM-5, it is often confused with anorexia nervosa. Some aspects of these disorders overlap, but each presents differently, and it is crucial to distinguish between the two.
While anorexia and bulimia nervosa are the most recognized eating disorders, several lesser-known eating disorders also significantly impact those suffering. There are eight different diagnoses within the Feeding and Eating Disorders chapter of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition- text revision (DSM-5-TR), a comprehensive manual covering all psychiatric and related diagnoses in the healthcare field.
