Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can have severe physical and emotional consequences. They affect a person's emotional and physical health in complex ways. The earlier a person seeks treatment, the better their chances of recovery. Common eating disorders include bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, each with distinct patterns of unhealthy eating behaviors and thought patterns. Eating disorders can impact people of all genders, ages and backgrounds. Recovery is a process that may involve learning new eating habits and coping with lasting physical effects.