Do you suspect that you might have an eating disorder? If so, you’re not alone. According to statistics published by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), approximately 9% of the U.S. population (28.8 million people) will experience an eating disorder at some point during their lives. Below, we discuss three of the most common eating disorders.

1. Anorexia Nervosa

Commonly referred to simply as “anorexia,” anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes someone to have a distorted perception of their own weight. Because they fear gaining weight, people with this condition tend to severely restrict how much food they eat, essentially starving themselves. They may also exercise excessively.

2. Bulimia Nervosa

This eating disorder causes someone to eat a large amount of food in a short amount of time, then try to get rid of the excess calories in an unhealthy way (for example, by vomiting, taking laxatives, or using enemas). This cycle is referred to as “binging and purging.”

3. Binge-Eating Disorder

Binge-eating disorder causes someone to regularly consume abnormally large amounts of food. People with this condition often report feeling like they’ve lost control and can’t make themselves stop eating.

Get the Help You Need

Seeking help for an eating disorder can feel overwhelming, but it’s one of the bravest and most important steps you can take toward healing. Whether you’re struggling with restrictive eating, bingeing, purging, or obsessive thoughts about food and your body, you deserve support and compassion—not shame. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect not only your physical health, but also your emotional well-being, relationships, and sense of self. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness—it’s a powerful act of self-care and a commitment to reclaiming your life.

Recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. It often involves working with a team of professionals, including therapists, registered dietitians/nutritionists, and sometimes medical doctors, who understand the emotional and physical layers of eating disorders. Therapy can help you explore the root causes, rebuild a peaceful relationship with food, and develop coping skills that support long-term healing. You are not alone in this. There is hope, and there is help—and taking that first step can open the door to lasting change and freedom.

If you think you might have one of the conditions described above or a different type of eating disorder, I invite you to schedule an appointment with me as an experienced therapists working with eating disorders. I understand how having an eating disorder can affect all aspects of your life, and I’ll work with you to overcome your struggles and achieve your treatment goals. Contact me today to get started. 

Jo-Anne Liakakos LPC, NCC

Major Counseling Solutions & Consulting in Alpharetta, GA