Anorexia nervosa - Anorexia Nervosa is one of the most common eating disorders. This serious illness involves drastic weight loss due to fasting and may be accompanied by excessive exercise.

Bulimia - This involves binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting and the abuse of laxatives.

Binge eating disorder (compulsive eating) - This is often overeating, often in secret and often carried out as a way of comforting oneself.

Successful treatment involves initially stabilizing the nutritional status of the person with an eating disorder, followed by a variety of psychotherapies. Preventive treatments in high-risk populations are also showing positive results.