Anorexia Nervosa – Restricting Type: Diagnosis Without Purging or Bingeing

DSM‑5 defines Anorexia Nervosa by three criteria:

1. Restriction of energy intake → significantly low body weight.
2. Intense fear of gaining weight / persistent behavior interfering with weight gain.
3. Disturbance in body weight/shape perception.

Two subtypes:

• Restricting Type: Weight loss via diet, fasting, excessive exercise. No recurrent binge‑eating or purging.
• Binge‑Eating/Purging Type: Recurrent episodes of bingeing and/or purging (vomiting, laxatives, diuretics).

Thus, a patient can meet full criteria for anorexia without ever bingeing or purging. Medical complications (bradycardia, electrolyte abnormalities, osteoporosis, endocrine dysfunction) occur in both subtypes.