Many people who live with eating disorders can't point to a single moment when it all began. Instead, what starts as seemingly “normal” behaviors — skipping meals, counting calories, following food rules — slowly, quietly, and insidiously evolves into something much harder to escape.

This slow slide is what makes disordered eating so dangerous: it doesn’t always start as a disorder, but for many, it becomes one.

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) is the official manual used by doctors, psychologists, and mental health professionals to diagnose mental health conditions, including eating disorders. It provides standardized criteria that help determine if someone meets the clinical definition of a disorder.

Awareness ribbons are used to show support, raise awareness, and honor those affected by eating disorders (EDs). Different colors are associated with different types of eating disorders, recovery journeys, and advocacy efforts.

The short answer is yes, having one eating disorder (ED) increases the risk of developing another, but it’s not inevitable. Understanding why this happens and how to prevent it can help you stay on a path toward full recovery rather than shifting between different ED behaviors.

Many people think osteoporosis and bone loss only happen to older adults, but the truth is bone health is built during childhood, teen years, and early adulthood. If you’ve struggled with an eating disorder, overexercise, or nutrient deficiencies, your bones might already be at risk—even if you're young.

Bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or lap-band procedures, is often considered for individuals with obesity-related health concerns. However, when eating disorders (EDs) are present or untreated, bariatric treatment comes with significant risks, psychological challenges, and potential worsening of disordered eating behaviors.

Puberty is a critical period for physical, emotional, and psychological development, but it can also be a high-risk time for the onset of eating disorders. The combination of hormonal changes, body image concerns, social pressures, and emotional shifts makes adolescents more vulnerable to developing disordered eating behaviors.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and eating disorders (EDs) often co-occur, creating a complex and emotionally intense cycle of impulsivity, fear of abandonment, self-destructive behaviors, and difficulties with emotional regulation. Individuals with both conditions may struggle with extreme emotions, unstable self-image, and disordered eating as a way to cope with distress.

The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in metabolism, energy levels, and overall health. Eating disorders—especially those involving restriction, purging, or bingeing—can severely impact thyroid function, leading to hormonal imbalances, slowed metabolism, and long-term health complications.

Purging—whether through vomiting, laxative use, excessive exercise, or fasting—is a serious and dangerous behavior associated with bulimia nervosa, binge-purge subtype anorexia, and other eating disorders. Helping a teen overcome purging requires compassion, medical and psychological intervention, and a structured recovery plan.

Eating disorder recovery is a long and challenging journey, but full recovery is possible. Many families have walked this path and seen their children regain health, happiness, and a positive relationship with food. Below are realistic and hopeful success stories of kids who have recovered, along with the key lessons their families learned.

Transgender individuals face a significantly higher risk of developing eating disorders (EDs) compared to their cisgender peers. This increased vulnerability is linked to body dysphoria, societal pressures, discrimination, and mental health struggles.

Steroid use, particularly anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), can be a significant indicator of eating disorders in males, often tied to body image concerns and muscle dysmorphia (bigorexia). While eating disorders in men can sometimes go unnoticed due to societal stigma, excessive focus on muscularity and leanness—often leading to steroid abuse—can be a key warning sign.

Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, has been studied as a potential treatment for eating disorders in adolescents, particularly for binge eating disorder (BED), bulimia nervosa (BN), and hyperphagia associated with conditions like Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). However, its use in teens remains off-label and requires careful consideration.

Eating disorders in children and adolescents can be challenging to detect early because some behaviors may be mistaken for “typical” teenage moodiness or picky eating. However, certain warning signs and changes in behavior or physical health can indicate that an eating disorder may be developing. It’s important to remember that no single sign confirms an eating disorder, but a pattern of behaviors or symptoms may warrant a closer look and professional evaluation.

One of the lesser talked-about — but emotionally painful — side effects of eating disorders is hair loss or noticeable changes in hair texture, thickness, or growth. For many teens and young adults, especially, these physical signs can increase distress or shame.

Whether you're struggling with anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, or another form of disordered eating, your oral health is part of your overall health — and your dentist can play an important role in early detection and long-term healing.