Eating Disorder vs. Disordered Eating: Are They The Same Thing?

When we’re talking about food and unhealthy eating habits, “eating disorder” and “disordered eating” are often used interchangeably. While they have lots of similarities and overlap, they’re not exactly the same thing. So, what’s actually the difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating?

As a dietitian who specializes in disordered eating, what I can tell you is that not EVERYONE with disordered eating is actually diagnosed with an eating disorder.

If you’re confused (no judgment! I totally get it), the difference really just comes down to a clinical diagnosis. Let me explain.

What’s the Difference Between Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating?

Eating disorders and disordered eating both refer to unhealthy behaviors around eating, food, and body image.

The difference is that eating disorders are diagnosable mental illnesses, while disordered eating is more of a general term that refers to any and all unhealthy eating patterns. Having a formal diagnosis may impact your insurance coverage for treatment (don’t get me started), but if there’s one thing I want you to know, it’s that if you’re struggling, you’re “sick enough” to get help.

We can break it down like this:

• Eating disorders meet specific diagnostic criteria listed in the DSM-5 TR. Having a “formal” diagnosis can make it easier to have care covered by insurance or to receive other forms of support for your disordered eating, but you deserve help no matter what. The current diagnostic criteria are limited, and don’t capture the wide range of symptoms, side effects, and other aspects of disordered eating.
• People with disordered eating may engage in problematic food behaviors and/or experience body image issues, but the frequency and severity of symptoms don’t necessarily meet the DSM-5 TR criteria for a clinical diagnosis.

How Disordered Eating Can Show Up

The unfortunate reality is that a lot of disordered eating habits are normalized in diet culture. Disordered eating shows up in many different ways, but it can be hard to spot if we don’t realize our food behaviors are problematic. It’s only when we take a step back or get help from a professional that we realize they’re disordered.

There’s no one telltale sign that points to disordered eating, but this is what I usually observe in my clients seeking eating disorder support:

• Poor body image and obsessing over trying to change the way their body looks
• Chronic dieting or participating in unsafe fad diets
• Binge eating (including nighttime bingeing)
• Rigid food rules that includes lots of restricting
• Compensating for eating “wrong” with intense exercise or purging
• Frequently skipping meals or literally forgetting to eat

Not all disordered eating progresses into a diagnosable eating disorder, but I want to stress that does NOT mean it’s not serious or worthy of being addressed.

When Is it Considered an Eating Disorder?

Technically speaking, disordered eating becomes an eating disorder when it’s diagnosed by a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional (dietitians like me don’t diagnose eating disorders, but I can certainly help refer you to someone who can).

BUT just because you may not have an official diagnosis doesn’t mean you can’t have an eating disorder.

The reality is that many eating disorders go undiagnosed. Missed signs, stereotypes about what eating disorders “look like,” and systemic weight bias in healthcare creates an environment where misdiagnoses are — unfortunately — common.

Not only that, but if your insurance plan has high copays or requires you to pay out-of-pocket for eating disorder screenings or treatment, seeking an official diagnosis might not be the right decision for you, and that’s okay.

What I want you to know is that eating disorders don’t have one specific look or need to be “official” to be taken seriously.

How To Know If It’s Time To Get Help

Eating disorders and disordered eating can have serious health consequences — physically, mentally, and emotionally. If your food habits are impacting your day-to-day life, or friends and family are concerned about you, the time to get help is now.

I often see people questioning whether things are “bad enough” to seek help or who think they can just manage it on their own. But regardless of how “bad” things are, you deserve help. You shouldn’t have to feel like your life is controlled by food.

Get Dietitian Support for Disordered Eating

Whether you’re recovering from an eating disorder or you’re struggling with disordered eating habits that you’re ready to ditch for good, I can help.

As a non-diet dietitian, I bring a kind, relatable, weight-inclusive approach to my nutrition counseling services. Instead of telling you to “just stick to your meal plan,” my approach is to give the space and support needed to heal your relationship with food.

Telehealth is available in 14 states. Check if your state is covered here, then book a free discovery call to get started!