In anorexia patients, the extreme lack of nutritional intake can lead to severe, life-threatening health problems, including organ failure and self-starvation.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa, or simply bulimia, is a serious, possibly life-threatening disorder. Bulimia sufferers go through cycles of binge eating and purging that lead to a feeling of lack of control over one’s eating habits. Many bulimia sufferers also restrict their eating during the day, which triggers binge eating and another cycle of purging. Sufferers typically indulge in a large amount of food in a short period, and then, because of a sense of guilt, shame or fear of weight gain, they try to rid themselves of those extra calories in unhealthy ways.

Patients with purging bulimia may induce vomiting whereas patients with non-purging bulimia may over-exercise or use other methods, such as laxatives, to rid themselves of the calories. People with bulimia typically are preoccupied with weight and body image and may make self-deprecating comments about perceived flaws that may not exist to outside people. Bulimia sufferers may be underweight, at a normal weight or even slightly overweight.

Binge-eating Disorder

Not all people with eating disorders starve themselves. Binge-eating disorder, the third-most common eating disorder in the United States, is characterized by regularly bingeing -- eating too much in short periods of time -- and patients may continue to eat long after they are uncomfortably full.

People who are suffering from binge-eating disorder often feel guilty, disgusted or ashamed of their eating habits, but unlike patients with bulimia, binge eaters don’t try to purge themselves of excess calories. Instead, binge eaters may begin to isolate themselves or eat alone to hide the behaviors.