Glossary
Definitions of a number of terms helpful for the understanding of eating disorders and their symptoms.
Metabolism
A definition of metabolism, particularly as metabolism relates to eating disorders.
A definition of metabolism, particularly as metabolism relates to eating disorders.
Cachexia
A definition of cachexia from the perspective of eating disorders.
A definition of cachexia from the perspective of eating disorders.
Cortisol - Cortisol by Definition
Defines cortisol and its suspected relationship to obesity.
Defines cortisol and its suspected relationship to obesity.
Ghrelin
Ghrelin is a hormone that encourages the appetite. So can it be used as a treatment for anorexia nervosa?
Ghrelin is a hormone that encourages the appetite. So can it be used as a treatment for anorexia nervosa?
Oral Expulsion Syndrome
Is oral expulsion syndrome an eating disorder? A diet technique? Or something else entirely?
Is oral expulsion syndrome an eating disorder? A diet technique? Or something else entirely?
Pregorexia
Though confusing to most observers, pregorexia is a common problem in pregnant women that can be harmful to their unborn babies.
Though confusing to most observers, pregorexia is a common problem in pregnant women that can be harmful to their unborn babies.
Bulimic
Is "bulimic" a noun or an adjective? It may depend on how you view a person with bulimia nervosa. Defining "bulimic" need not define people.
Is "bulimic" a noun or an adjective? It may depend on how you view a person with bulimia nervosa. Defining "bulimic" need not define people.
Hunger Is a Life-Preserving Friend
Hunger in affluent western cultures isn't the same as it might be in some third world countries. But hunger remains a prominent figure with which those with eating disorders have a hard time dealing.
Hunger in affluent western cultures isn't the same as it might be in some third world countries. But hunger remains a prominent figure with which those with eating disorders have a hard time dealing.
Food Porn
For a person with an eating disorder, food porn is forbidden fruit. How does food porn make food seem like porn?
For a person with an eating disorder, food porn is forbidden fruit. How does food porn make food seem like porn?
Adipose Tissue
Adipose tissue defined in the context of human anatomy.
Adipose tissue defined in the context of human anatomy.
Amenorrhea
Definition of amenorrhea.
Definition of amenorrhea.
Anorectic
Definition of anorectic (in a number of different forms).
Definition of anorectic (in a number of different forms).
Anorexia Nervosa
A brief definition of anorexia nervosa, with links to deeper information as desired.
A brief definition of anorexia nervosa, with links to deeper information as desired.
Baryphobia
Baryphobia is perhaps an eating disorder, but being a "phobia" implies that it is a disorder based on anxiety.
Baryphobia is perhaps an eating disorder, but being a "phobia" implies that it is a disorder based on anxiety.
Binge Eating
Binge eating defined
Binge eating defined
Body Image
A definition of body image from the perspective of eating disorders. The body image of a person with an eating disorder is often far more negative than others' opinions of his or her body.
A definition of body image from the perspective of eating disorders. The body image of a person with an eating disorder is often far more negative than others' opinions of his or her body.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Definition of Body Mass Index (BMI)
Definition of Body Mass Index (BMI)
Bulimarexia
Bulimarexia is an eating disorder term that has fallen from mainstream usage. Is it more like bulimia, or more like anorexia?
Bulimarexia is an eating disorder term that has fallen from mainstream usage. Is it more like bulimia, or more like anorexia?
Catharsis
Defines the idea of catharsis from an eating disorders perspective.
Defines the idea of catharsis from an eating disorders perspective.
CEDS
Definition of CEDS (Certified Eating Disorder Specialist)
Definition of CEDS (Certified Eating Disorder Specialist)
CEDSN
Definition of CEDSN
Definition of CEDSN
Comorbidity
Definition of comorbidity
Definition of comorbidity
Compulsive Overeating
Compulsive overeating affects us more often than we realize. Presents the definition of compulsive overeating.
Compulsive overeating affects us more often than we realize. Presents the definition of compulsive overeating.
Crash Diets
Crash diets defined, with notes on their effects. Crash diet plans are extremely popular, but no substitute for healthy eating.
Crash diets defined, with notes on their effects. Crash diet plans are extremely popular, but no substitute for healthy eating.
Disordered Eating
Disordered eating casts a wider net than the APA-defined eating disorders. Understand what disordered eating includes.
Disordered eating casts a wider net than the APA-defined eating disorders. Understand what disordered eating includes.
Dissociation
Provides a definition of dissociation, which is common among many people in the wake of trauma. There is speculation as to how dissociation occurs in the context of eating disorders.
Provides a definition of dissociation, which is common among many people in the wake of trauma. There is speculation as to how dissociation occurs in the context of eating disorders.
Diuretics
A definition of diuretics, particularly as they pertain to eating disorders.
A definition of diuretics, particularly as they pertain to eating disorders.
Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
"Double-blind placebo-controlled trial" may roll off the tongue of a researcher, but what does it really mean?
"Double-blind placebo-controlled trial" may roll off the tongue of a researcher, but what does it really mean?
Dysmorphia
Dysmorphia in the medical community describes a part of the body that is out of proportion in some way. But many believe that their bodies are out of proportion when they aren't.
Dysmorphia in the medical community describes a part of the body that is out of proportion in some way. But many believe that their bodies are out of proportion when they aren't.
Edema
Edema can be alarming to a person with an eating disorder. What is it, and why is it so frightening for this population?
Edema can be alarming to a person with an eating disorder. What is it, and why is it so frightening for this population?
EDNOS
EDNOS, or Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, is an eating disorder diagnosis that covers many kinds of disordered eating. EDNOS includes binge-eating disorder.
EDNOS, or Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, is an eating disorder diagnosis that covers many kinds of disordered eating. EDNOS includes binge-eating disorder.
Electrolytes
Definition of electrolytes
Definition of electrolytes
Emesis
Emesis, a medical term, is defined from the perspective of eating disorders.
Emesis, a medical term, is defined from the perspective of eating disorders.
Emetics
Definition of emetics, particularly as related to eating disorders.
Definition of emetics, particularly as related to eating disorders.
Enema
Definition of enema. Enemas create significant problems for those with eating disorders.
Definition of enema. Enemas create significant problems for those with eating disorders.
Etiology
Defines etiology, particularly as it pertains to eating disorders. The etiology of eating disorders is widely debated.
Defines etiology, particularly as it pertains to eating disorders. The etiology of eating disorders is widely debated.
Hypokalemia
A definition of hypokalemia and its role in eating disorders.
A definition of hypokalemia and its role in eating disorders.
Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is a form of malnutrition often found in parts of the world affected by shortages of food (including famine) and/or poor education.
Kwashiorkor is a form of malnutrition often found in parts of the world affected by shortages of food (including famine) and/or poor education.
Lanugo
Lanugo defined.
Lanugo defined.
Laxatives
For some, laxatives are helpful agents used occasionally to relieve constipation. For others, laxatives are used to relieve the anxiety that comes with eating.
For some, laxatives are helpful agents used occasionally to relieve constipation. For others, laxatives are used to relieve the anxiety that comes with eating.
Manorexia
Is "manorexia" a unique eating disorder, or something else? Manorexia is defined here.
Is "manorexia" a unique eating disorder, or something else? Manorexia is defined here.
Marasmus
Marasmus is a particular type of malnourishment or partial starvation that occurs in children. Marasmus has particular identifying characteristics that separate it from other problems of malnourishment, like kwashiorkor.
Marasmus is a particular type of malnourishment or partial starvation that occurs in children. Marasmus has particular identifying characteristics that separate it from other problems of malnourishment, like kwashiorkor.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist differs from a registered dietitian in training and certification. However, some nutritionists do have certifications.
A nutritionist differs from a registered dietitian in training and certification. However, some nutritionists do have certifications.
Obesity
Obesity is not the same as "the state of being fat." Obesity is clinically defined, widely feared and stigmatized, and perhaps misunderstood.
Obesity is not the same as "the state of being fat." Obesity is clinically defined, widely feared and stigmatized, and perhaps misunderstood.
Orexins
Defines orexins, noting their effect on appetite and wakefulness.
Defines orexins, noting their effect on appetite and wakefulness.
Osteopenia
Definition of osteopenia.
Definition of osteopenia.
Osteoporosis
Definition of osteoporosis.
Definition of osteoporosis.
Overweight
Overweight is a physical state based on a person's weight relative to height. However, it may be widely understood, and being "overweight" may cause unnecessary fear.
Overweight is a physical state based on a person's weight relative to height. However, it may be widely understood, and being "overweight" may cause unnecessary fear.
Pro-Ana
Definition of "pro-ana" (pro-anorexia).
Definition of "pro-ana" (pro-anorexia).
Pro-Mia
Definition of "pro-mia" (pro-bulimia).
Definition of "pro-mia" (pro-bulimia).
Psychopharmacology
Defines psychopharmacology in general and from the perspective of eating disorders treatment.
Defines psychopharmacology in general and from the perspective of eating disorders treatment.
Purgatives
Definition of purgatives. Provides meaning of "purgatives," especially as related to eating disorders.
Definition of purgatives. Provides meaning of "purgatives," especially as related to eating disorders.
Purging
Purging defined
Purging defined
Registered Dietitian
Defines a registered dietitian. A registered dietitian has stronger credentials than a nutritionist.
Defines a registered dietitian. A registered dietitian has stronger credentials than a nutritionist.
Rexies
"Rexies" is a self-descriptive term for some users of pro-anorexia websites. What does it really mean?
"Rexies" is a self-descriptive term for some users of pro-anorexia websites. What does it really mean?
Rumination
Defines rumination from an eating disorders perspective, contrasting this meaning with the word's more widely-understood use; that is, describing repetitive thought processes.
Defines rumination from an eating disorders perspective, contrasting this meaning with the word's more widely-understood use; that is, describing repetitive thought processes.
Set Point Theory
Definition of set point theory from an eating disorders perspective.
Definition of set point theory from an eating disorders perspective.
Social Isolation
Among the not-so-obvious effects of eating disorders is social isolation, often generated by shame in addition to fear.
Among the not-so-obvious effects of eating disorders is social isolation, often generated by shame in addition to fear.
SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that are often prescribed when eating disorders are present.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that are often prescribed when eating disorders are present.
Sublimation
Defines sublimation as used in the field of psychology.
Defines sublimation as used in the field of psychology.
Thermogenesis
Definition of thermogenesis, with emphasis on its occurrence in the human body.
Definition of thermogenesis, with emphasis on its occurrence in the human body.
Thinspiration
Many people seek "thinspiration" as a way to urge themselves to get thinner or stay that way. What is thinspiration, and what does it hold for those who find it?
Many people seek "thinspiration" as a way to urge themselves to get thinner or stay that way. What is thinspiration, and what does it hold for those who find it?