There are many eating disorders that take control over individuals and hinders them to do many of the ‘normal’ things 
that they should be experiencing. Understanding what the diverse types of eating disorders are, how they affect the individuals, and what we can do to help can better our knowledge on how to decrease these disastrous disorders.
First, we need to know a few of the disorders are. The three main types according to the American Psychiatric Association are: Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa is described as “a severe restriction of calories; there may be a fear of weight gain and strict “rules” about eating” (Understanding).
Bulimia nervosa involves the same type of fears as anorexia, “but also involves a lack of control while binge eating may be followed by purging. This could involve vomiting or using laxative or exercising excessively” (Understanding). Finally, binge eating is when individuals “eat large amounts of food in a short amount of time. Food often is eaten without attention to hunger of fullness and is not purged afterwards” (Understanding).
Next, having a better understanding of the signs and symptoms of these disorders can have a better affect on helping each other. Anorexia nervosa symptoms include: “Food restriction and avoidance; Isolation and fear of eating with others; dizziness and headaches; and dramatic weight loss and refusal to maintain a body weight that is healthy” (Understanding).
The signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa include: “Feeling that eating can’t be controlled once a binge begins; eating until the point of physical discomfort or pain; and making excuses for missing food, or money taken to pay for binge foods” (Bulimia). And the signs and symptoms of the binge eating disorders include: “Chronic dieting with or without weight loss; high blood pressure and/or cholesterol; eating very quickly; and leg and joint pain, decreased activity” (Understanding).
You may experience these signs and symptoms or see someone exhibiting these, but don’t be alarmed. You can always seek guidance with a counselor, doctor, and/or a member of your family whom you trust. Always ask if someone is doing well and try to ask questions on their well-being when it seems fit. Everyone goes through rough patches in their life and this may be one of them.
What else can be done though? Talking about it openly, challenging the ideal judgments, and taking action are just a few ways you can help. “Be a model of healthy self-esteem and body image; Choose to value yourself based on your goals; become a critical viewer of the media and its messages about self-esteem and body image; decide to avoid judging others and yourself on the basis of body weight or shape” (What can you).
Given these points, there are many ways to combat this. Educate yourself even further about this topic, don’t judge others and yourself based on body weight, and eat a balanced diet to avoid these disorders. It’s not always easy to avoid these disorders, but we can take numerous steps to prevent it in the best way possible.
References
“Bulimia Symptoms and Effects.” Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, www.timberlineknolls.com/eating-disorder/bulimia/signs-effects/#What-are-the-Signs-and-Symptoms-of-Bulimia.
“Understanding Eating Disorders.” Www.eatright.org, 10 Oct. 2017, www.eatright.org/resource/health/diseases-and-conditions/eating-disorders/understanding-eating-disorders.
“What Can You Do to Help Prevent Eating Disorders?” National Eating Disorders Association, 2016, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/what-can-you-do-help-prevent-eating-disorders.
