There are three major types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa characterized by starvation due to weight concerns, bulimia nervosa involving binge eating and purging due to weight concerns, and binge-eating disorder defined by overeating to discomfort while feeling out of control. Eating disorders affect both women and men of various weights and ages, though young women are often impacted. Treatment typically involves a combination of therapy, nutrition counseling, and sometimes medication to address the underlying psychological conditions linked to food-related symptoms.

1. Understanding Eating
Disorders
By Dr. David Garner of River Centre Clinic

2. Understanding Eating Disorders
The phrase “eating disorder” conjures, for many people, images of emaciated young
women. In reality, however, eating disorders affect women and men of all weights and
ages (though young women are among the most often affected).
There are three major types of eating disorders, though any individual may have
symptoms that do not fit any one type perfectly:
- Anorexia nervosa: Starvation motivated by excessive concerns of weight gain or
fatness.
- Bulimia nervosa: Cyclical bingeing and purging motivated by weight concerns.
- Binge-eating disorder: Overeating to the point of discomfort while feeling out of
control.

3. Understanding Eating Disorders
For those whose symptoms do not align neatly with any of the above, a physician may
diagnose “eating disorder not otherwise specified.”
All types of eating disorders are characterized by food-related symptoms that are linked
to psychological conditions. Because of that, treatment for eating disorders is most often
psychological rather than merely physiological, and typically involves a combination of
therapy (often individual, group, and family), nutrition counseling, and, in some cases,
medication.

4. Understanding Eating Disorders
About River Centre Clinic:
River Centre Clinic was founded in 1996 by Dr. David Garner as an alternative to
hospital-based eating disorder treatment. Today, the clinic offers outpatient and
residential care for individuals of all ages struggling with a variety of eating disorders.