Most sources describe an eating disorder as a compulsion which is usually defined by extremes; simply put, either eating too much or eating too little. However, despite years of research, the exact causes and treatments for several eating disorders are still unclear. Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are the two most common types of eating disorders, and although specific treatments for more chronic cases have not been found, certain medicinal and psychological treatments have proven to be helpful in treatment. The following is a short description of the two most common eating disorders:

People suffering from the eating disorder Anorexia Nervosa usually have a distorted body image accompanied by a consistent and compulsive pursuit to lose weight.

Anorexics use several methods of weight loss including, but not limited to, excessive exercising or dieting, ingesting diuretics, enemas and induced vomiting. Cardiac arrest and fluid imbalances are typical causes of death among those suffering from Anorexia.

People suffering from Anorexia are also prone to other illnesses such as substance abuse, anxiety, depression, obsessive behavior and more. Some symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa include: Low blood pressure, Constipation, Osteoporosis, Lethargy, Thinning hair/nails, Bulimia Nervosa and more.

Those suffering from Bulimia Nervosa feel a need to eat compulsively and have a lack of control over eating. Like Anorexics, Bulimics are overly concerned with their physical appearance and usually follow binge eating with some form of purging (vomiting, excessive exercise, laxatives, etc…).

In contrast to people suffering from Anorexia (who are usually severely under weight), Bulimics can maintain normal body weight, which makes symptoms less obvious. In fact, most symptoms of Bulimia occur during the purging process of the illness. Some symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa include: Intestinal irritation, Swollen neck glands, Dehydration, Inflamed throat and Kidney failure