About Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by unhealthy and distorted eating behaviors that negatively impact physical health, emotional well-being, and relationships. The most common types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. These disorders can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa:

  • Characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading individuals to restrict food intake to an extreme degree.

  • Symptoms include extreme weight loss, obsession with food and weight, calorie counting, food restriction, and excessive exercise.

Bulimia Nervosa:

  • Involves recurrent episodes of binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short period) followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, food restriction, or laxative use to prevent weight gain.

  • People with bulimia often feel a lack of control during binge episodes and may experience feelings of shame or guilt afterward.

Binge Eating Disorder:

  • Characterized by repeated episodes of eating large quantities of food, often in secret, without engaging in compensatory behaviors.

  • Individuals with this disorder may feel distressed about their eating habits, leading to weight gain and other health complications.

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID):

  • (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterized by a limited and restrictive intake of food, often driven by sensory sensitivities, a lack of interest in food, or previous negative experiences with eating, such as choking or food-related illnesses.

  • Unlike other eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, ARFID does not involve concerns about body weight or shape. Individuals with ARFID may avoid certain textures, tastes, or smells of food, leading to nutritional deficiencies and potential weight loss.

  • It impacts children and adults.

Signs & Symptoms of Eating Disorders

 

Treatment

 

When to Seek Support

Physical Symptoms:

  • Extreme weight fluctuations, gastrointestinal issues, dizziness, fatigue, changes in appetite, changes in heart rate and phsycial ability, bone density issues, esophagus issues, decreased potassium levels, lanugo, and/or irregular menstruation.



    Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms:

    • Obsession with body image, food, and weight, frequent dieting, avoidance of social situations involving food, and secretive eating habits.

    • Emotional distress such as depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem.

    • Guilt, shame

    • Increased exercise

    • Calorie counting, weighing oneself frequently

    • Food restriction and avoidance



Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  • Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT)

  • Family Therapy

  • Group Therapy

  • Individual Therapy

  • Occupational Therapy

  • Dietary support

EmotionMedication Mangement:

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft), are commonly prescribed to help reduce eating disorders.

Psychological Support:

  • Working with a mental health provider to learn stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness, exercise, and relaxation exercises can be very helpful.

  • Creating and utilizing a support network of friends, family, or support groups can aid in managing eating disorders.

If you or someone you know is experiencing eating disorder thoughts or behaviors that interfere with daily life, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional. Early intervention can improve the effectiveness of treatment.

Learn about our team of mental health professionals here and book a session today.

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