Eating Disorder Therapy

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders can affect people across all ages and do not discriminate based on color, national origin, socioeconomic class, or religion. Those with eating disorders represent a wide range of body shapes and sizes. It is estimated that in the US alone, 20 million women and 10 million men experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Data shows that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, disordered eating is at an all-time high. Hospitalization rates for ailments related to eating disorders have increased and in-patient admission rates have doubled in some rehabilitation centers.

An eating disorder is an unhealthy obsession with weight and body image. It manifests as a way to exert control and manage underlying anxiety.  Some of the ways eating disorders can present are a binge/purge cycle, exercise obsession, an inability to control the intake of food, and avoidance of food - including particular types or textures of foods. Based on research, it is shown that eating disorders stem from a variety of biological, social, and psychological factors.  

TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS

There are different types of eating disorders, below we have mentioned the most commonly known.

Anorexia nervosa: Highly restrictive eating and calorie intake, abnormally low body weight, deep fear of gaining weight, distorted body image, excessive exercising, misuse of laxatives or diet aids.

Bulimia nervosa: Bingeing on large amounts of food in secret, then purging - intentionally vomiting, misuse of laxatives, excessive exercising, preoccupation with weight, body image, and size.

Binge eating disorder: Often eating large quantities of food at a time, even when not hungry; persistent, often troubling, thoughts about food and eating

SYMPTOMS OF EATING DISORDERS MAY VARY FROM PERSON TO PERSON AND INCLUDE:

Physical signs

• Infrequent menses or amenorrhea, the cessation of menstruation

• Frequent body checking

• Obsessive weighing

• Mood swings

• Gastrointestinal issues, including bloating, constipation, acid reflux

• Fainting

• Hair loss, weak or broken nails

• Dry skin and hair

• Muscle weakness

• Cuts and calluses on finger joints

• Esophageal burning or lesions

• Dizziness

• Difficulty concentrating

• Feeling cold when others do not

• Dental decay, including cavities, gum disease, yellowing of teeth

• Lanugo or fine, baby-like hair all over the body

• Low heart rate, low blood pressure

• Abnormal lab results, such as low potassium, anemia, low white and red blood cell counts, low hormone levels, and low thyroid

• Decreased immunity and difficulty recovering from wounds

Behavioral and Psychological signs

• Habits and attitudes that show that the control of food, dieting, and weight loss takes precedence over other areas of life

• Preoccupation with dieting, weight loss, fat, calorie counting, carbohydrates

• Atypical food rituals, such as only eating certain types of foods, counting the number of chews per bite, cutting food into small pieces

• Reducing the number of meals or the quantity eaten during meals

• Withdrawal from loved ones and previously enjoyed activities

• Exercise compulsion even when injured or tired

• Extreme weight loss

• Evidence of bingeing, such as eating a large amount of food in a short time, wrappers of certain foods in the trash, or hiding food

• Frequent trips to the restroom after meals

• Using a weighing scale as a barometer of self-worth

EATING DISORDER TREATMENT AND RECOVERY

Eating disorders are often veiled in secrecy and shame, but you do not have to feel alone.  Early detection and treatment are essential to recovery and living a full life with a healthy approach to food, eating, and body image. We can help you identify and address the underlying anxiety that is contributing to your eating disorder. If you believe addiction is the cause of your challenges with eating, we do offer food addiction therapy. Eating disorder treatment requires a team with the integrative approach of a therapist to treat the underlying psychological factors, a doctor to treat the medical effects, and a dietician to educate, create a meal plan and develop healthy attitudes towards food and eating.

Trust Mental Health has a team of experienced, BIPOC therapists who offer eating disorder therapy in California. If you are interested in professional support and eating disorder treatment, contact us today for a free 15-minute consultation. We will match you with an eating disorder therapist near you, who is best suited to your needs. Your therapist will work with your treatment team to ensure that you are on a sustainable path to recovery.

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