This year, I’ve decided to break the cycle of annual weight loss resolutions. For as long as I can remember, my routine has been the same: create a plan, set goals, and lose weight—whatever it took. I was aware of what I was eating, and yes, I weighed myself multiple times a day, though I’d never admit it to anyone. If you asked me whether I thought I had an eating disorder, I would have laughed it off. After all, I wasn’t underweight, right?
Spoiler alert: I was mistaken. It took me years to recognize the thin line between healthy eating habits and disordered behaviors. I discovered that what I thought were just habits were often symptoms of a more serious issue. While anorexia and bulimia are widely recognized, lesser-known disorders such as binge-eating disorder, orthorexia, and OSFED (Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder) also deserve attention.
These disorders may not be discussed as frequently, but they can have equally harmful effects if left unrecognized and untreated. Let’s explore what these disorders are, their symptoms, and where to seek help.
Eating Disorders Manifest Differently for Everyone
Remember when Mia Thompson opened up about her battle with atypical anorexia and faced backlash for it? Eating disorders are a mental health crisis that can show up in various physical forms. Not everyone with anorexia appears emaciated, and not everyone with Binge Eating Disorder is overweight. This is especially true for lesser-known disorders like orthorexia and OSFED.
Orthorexia
Orthorexia is particularly insidious because many of its symptoms are glorified by diet culture. There’s nothing inherently wrong with choosing nutritious foods, but when it becomes obsessive, it can signal a deeper issue. The toxic culture around dieting has gone so far as to label foods as “good” or “bad.” When you find yourself only consuming foods from your “good” list and punishing yourself for deviating from it, that’s a red flag. Food should enhance our lives, not control them. If you’re avoiding social gatherings due to anxiety about food choices, it’s time to reach out to a healthcare professional.
OSFED (Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder)
Then there’s OSFED, previously known as ENDOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). According to the Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Treatment, there’s a significant misunderstanding regarding the seriousness of OSFED. Many believe it’s not severe enough to warrant treatment.
Take it from someone who has experienced this firsthand: treatment is crucial for recovery. Thoughts and behaviors surrounding food don’t just disappear on their own, especially in a society that assigns moral values to food, exercise, and body types.
Exercise and Food Aren’t the Enemies—Toxic Diet Culture Is
I’ve struggled with body dysmorphia, disordered eating, and unhealthy exercise habits for most of my life. Yet, I appeared to be an average-sized woman—perhaps slightly curvy. Some might even have called me overweight, but I never looked underweight or malnourished.
What you wouldn’t see were the dizzy spells from not eating all day or the hidden notebook where I meticulously recorded every calorie I consumed. It sounds irrational, but that’s the mindset of someone in need of professional help to break free from unhealthy eating patterns.
If any of this resonates with you or you’ve ever questioned whether your concerns are serious enough to seek help—consider this your sign. Don’t wait until symptoms overwhelm you. Just like anything else in life, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone deserves support and the chance to lead a healthy, fulfilling life.
For more insights, check out our other blog post here, or visit this authoritative resource on the topic here. For those interested in pregnancy information, this Wikipedia article is an excellent resource.
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