Eating disorders, which include insufficient and excessive food intake, affect nearly 5% of the global population. Research indicates that over 90% of those affected are between the ages of 15 and 25. The three most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

Anorexia nervosa is often characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight. Those with the disorder, even at a healthy body weight for their height, feel compelled to become thinner in order to feel a sense of self-worth. This drive is often rooted in the pursuit of weight goals, leading to food refusal. However, anorexia is not just about body image; it is also about control. Statistics suggest that individuals with anorexia may come from situations in which they felt powerless or overwhelmed. In such cases, the disorder can offer a false sense of control. Remarkably, this condition can reveal strength and determination—the ability to set and pursue a goal with relentless focus. However, until these traits are redirected in emotionally and spiritually healthy ways, they can result in severe mental and physical breakdowns.

Bulimia nervosa, like anorexia, is driven by a fear of gaining weight, but it manifests differently. Whereas anorexia is marked by strict control over food intake, bulimia is characterized by a loss of control, resulting in cycles of binge eating followed by purging through vomiting. This cycle of binging and purging can be a secret struggle, as those with bulimia often present themselves as healthy on the outside, concealing their unhealthy habits from others.

Both anorexia and bulimia share similar emotional and psychological roots, often arising from the need to exert control or cope with underlying feelings of powerlessness. The key difference lies in the way they manifest: anorexia involves rigid control, while bulimia is marked by periods of loss of control. Despite their outward differences, both disorders stem from complex emotional and psychological factors, not simply physical appearance.

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The following brief descriptions touch on emotions common to our humanity. Insecurity, Discouragement, Loneliness, Anxiety, Inadequacy, Inferiority, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Approval Seeking, Obsession, Neediness, Identity Confusion, Feeling Second Best, and other areas of emotional struggle.