“Can You Remember When Your Disordered Eating Became a Disorder?”
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 Unique Challenges of Atypical AnorexiaWhy Recognition, Treatment, and Compassion Matter — Regardless of Body Size
Despite the name, there’s nothing “less serious” about atypical anorexia. In fact, the symptoms, medical complications, and psychological distress are often just as severe — but because it doesn’t look like the stereotype, many individuals go undiagnosed, invalidated, and untreated.
What Is the DSM-5 and What Does It Mean for My Diagnosis?
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.
The Difference Between Disordered Eating and an Eating Disorder: Why All Food Struggles Deserve Compassion — But Not All Are Diagnosed the Same
We often hear the terms “disordered eating” and “eating disorder” used interchangeably — especially in wellness circles, school settings, or on social media. But while they’re related, they are not the same thing.
Understanding the difference can help parents, providers, and individuals recognize red flags earlier and get the right level of support — before things get more serious.