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What Type of Eating Disorder Do I Have?

  • Stefanos Pagonidis
  • Nov 21, 2025
  • 3 min read
Eating Disorder Support

A Guide to Understanding the Differences


What Type of Eating Disorder Do I Have? Understanding the Differences

Summary:

Many people recognise that something about their eating feels difficult or distressing, but are unsure how to describe it. Eating disorders do not all look the same, and you do not need to fit neatly into a category for support to be appropriate.

This guide is designed as a quiz-style overview to help you reflect on common patterns. It is not a diagnostic tool, but it may help you decide whether seeking professional assessment could be useful.


Before you start

As you read through the sections below, consider:


  • Which patterns feel familiar

  • Which questions you recognise yourself in

  • Whether these difficulties feel persistent or distressing


You may relate to more than one section. That is common.


Section 1: Restriction and fear of weight gain

Often associated with anorexia nervosa


You might recognise yourself here if:


  • You restrict how much or how often you eat

  • You feel a strong fear of weight gain or body change

  • Your self-worth feels closely tied to weight, shape, or control

  • Eating feels anxiety-provoking rather than neutral


People with anorexia may restrict food, exercise excessively, or follow rigid eating rules. Some people experience binge–purge patterns alongside restriction.


Section 2: Binge–purge cycles

Often associated with bulimia nervosa


You might recognise yourself here if:


  • You experience episodes of eating that feel out of control

  • These episodes are followed by attempts to “undo” eating

  • You feel shame, guilt, or secrecy around food

  • Your weight may fluctuate, or appear stable despite distress


Bulimia is defined more by patterns of behaviour and distress than by weight.


Section 3: Loss of control without compensation

Often associated with binge eating disorder (BED)


You might recognise yourself here if:


  • You have repeated episodes of eating large amounts in a short time

  • Eating feels driven, automatic, or hard to stop

  • You eat in secret or feel embarrassed about eating

  • You do not regularly purge or compensate afterwards


BED is the most common eating disorder and often goes unrecognised.


Section 4: Sensory-based or fear-based restriction

Often associated with ARFID


You might recognise yourself here if:


  • Your eating is limited by texture, taste, smell, or appearance

  • You avoid foods due to fear of choking, vomiting, or discomfort

  • You lack interest in eating rather than fearing weight gain

  • Your diet is very narrow, even if body image is not a concern


ARFID can affect both children and adults and is not driven by weight or shape concerns.


Section 5: Health-focused rigidity

Sometimes described as orthorexia


You might recognise yourself here if:


  • You are highly preoccupied with eating “clean” or “pure” foods

  • You follow strict food rules linked to health or morality

  • Breaking rules causes anxiety or guilt

  • Social life is affected by food restrictions


Orthorexia is not a formal diagnosis, but the pattern can still be distressing and restrictive.


Section 6: Mixed or unclear patterns

Often described as OSFED


You might recognise yourself here if:


  • Your symptoms do not fit neatly into one category

  • Your eating patterns change over time

  • You experience significant distress or impairment

  • Professionals have struggled to label your difficulties


OSFED is a valid eating disorder diagnosis and does not mean symptoms are “less serious”.


A few reflective questions

You may find it helpful to ask yourself:


  • Does eating cause me ongoing anxiety or distress?

  • Do I rely on rigid rules or routines around food?

  • Is food taking up a lot of mental space?

  • Are my eating patterns affecting my health, mood, or relationships?


If the answer is “yes” to some of these, professional input may be helpful.


Why diagnosis is not something to do alone

Eating disorders are complex and often overlap. A professional assessment considers:


  • Physical health

  • Eating patterns

  • Psychological factors

  • Neurodiversity and life context


Assessment is not about labels for their own sake. It is about understanding what support is most appropriate.


How we can help

At The Eating Disorders Clinic, we provide assessment-led, specialist support for all eating disorder presentations, including ARFID and mixed or unclear patterns.


We focus on understanding your experience, rather than fitting you into a box.


A gentle next step

If you are unsure what you may be experiencing, you are welcome to book a free initial call to talk things through.


You can also review our webpage to understand how assessment and support work before making any decisions.


Author: Stefanos Pagonidis – Clinical Director, Lead Dietitian at the Eating Disorders Clinic

References:

 
 
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