Some of the Most Common Eating Disorders & Their Symptoms

Friday, Aug 28  •  
Eating Disorders

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Eating disorders are complex mental health disorders that are nuanced with deeper psychological issues that need to be addressed to find recovery. Although the term “eating disorder” seems to focus on the immediate issue of food, eating disorders are about more than food. Many who suffer from eating disorders tend to focus on their need for control, which they feel their eating disorders provides them with.

There are several different kinds of eating disorders. Below are some of the most common eating disorders along with the common symptoms associated with them. If you or your loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek help immediately. 

  1. Anorexia nervosa: This is likely the most well-known eating disorder. Those who suffer from anorexia nervosa typically view themselves as overweight, even when they are underweight or at a healthy weight. The common symptoms include consistent monitoring of weight, food intake, avoid certain foods, and severely restrict their calorie intake. 
  2. Bulimia nervosa: Those who experience this eating disorder typically binge and purge. During a binge, the person suffering will eat a large amount of food until they are ill. They often feel like they don’t have control over how much they eat or cannot stop. After a binge, they purge to control their weight/relieve the pain they’re experiencing. Those who are affected by bulimia nervosa are intensely afraid of gaining weight despite maintaining a typically healthy weight.
  3. Binge eating disorder: This disorder is believed to be one of the most common eating disorders, especially in the United States. People who experience this eating disorder are typically overweight or obese and common symptoms include eating large amounts of food rapidly, feeling lack of control during binge episodes, and feelings such as shame or disgust associated with these behaviors. Purging behaviors such as excessive exercise or calorie restriction are not associated with binge eating disorder. 
  4. Pica: This is an eating disorder that involves eating things that are not considered food. Some of the non-food substances that those with pica crave can include things such as ice, dirt, soil, chalk, soap, paper, hair, cloth, wool, pebbles, laundry detergent, or cornstarch. This disorder most commonly affects children, pregnant women, and individuals with mental disabilities. Those who experience this eating disorder are at risk of poisoning, infection, and nutritional deficiencies. 

Our team at Avalon Hills is prepared and has experience in treating a wide range of eating disorders. There is help available. If you would like to speak to one of our admissions specialists, please call 833-908-0885.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common symptoms of eating disorders in adolescent females that Avalon Hills treats?

Warning signs vary by diagnosis, but families most often notice severe restriction of food or calories, intense fear of weight gain, and a distorted view of body size and shape (anorexia nervosa); cycles of binge eating followed by purging or other compensatory behaviors, often hidden even when weight appears normal (bulimia nervosa); or eating unusually large amounts of food rapidly and in secret, with strong feelings of shame afterward (binge eating disorder). Other common signals include withdrawal from meals and social events, rigid rules or rituals around food, frequent trips to the bathroom after eating, preoccupation with exercise, and changes in mood, energy, or menstrual cycles. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions rooted in deeper psychological issues, so symptoms are rarely just about food. If you are seeing these signs, an assessment with a specialist is the right next step — call 833-908-0885.

How does Avalon Hills' residential treatment program support adults with eating disorders?

Avalon Hills operates a separate adult residential home in rural Utah, so adults receive care alongside peers at a similar stage of life rather than in a mixed-age milieu. Treatment includes 24-hour clinical support, structured meal support, individual and group psychotherapy, and a staged model that moves clients through progressive levels of independence — including community and home passes — to practice recovery skills in real-world settings before discharge. Care is guided by the program’s “Treat to Outcome” philosophy, which prioritizes sustainable recovery over a predetermined length of stay. Avalon Hills is accredited by The Joint Commission.

Can therapy animals be integrated into eating disorder recovery programs at Avalon Hills?

Yes. Animal-assisted work is part of the experiential side of treatment at Avalon Hills, including equine therapy and time caring for and connecting with small animals on the property. Working with animals gives clients a low-pressure way to practice trust, boundaries, nurturing, and being present in their bodies — skills that are often difficult to access through talk therapy alone. These experiences complement, rather than replace, the clinical core of the program, and a client’s treatment team decides how they fit into an individualized plan.

What specialized approaches does Avalon Hills use to address the psychological aspects of eating disorders?

Because eating disorders are driven by underlying psychological and neurological patterns, Avalon Hills combines evidence-based psychotherapy with brain-focused and body-focused interventions. That includes cognitive behavioral therapy, individual and group psychotherapy, family involvement, sensorimotor interventions, expressive and experiential therapies, and mindfulness practice. The program also applies neurofeedback and applied neuroscience, drawing on the center’s long-standing work in neuroplasticity research. Each plan is individualized so treatment addresses the thoughts, emotions, and trauma beneath the eating disorder behaviors — not just the behaviors themselves.

How can I contact Avalon Hills to discuss residential treatment options for teens or adults with eating disorders?

You can reach an admissions specialist at 833-908-0885 or email info@avalonhills.org. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the campus is located at 175 E 100 N, Logan, UT 84321. Admissions can walk you through the assessment process, program fit for an adolescent or adult, and next steps — there is no obligation, and asking questions early is always worthwhile.

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