Eating Disorder Treatment

The battle against an eating disorder often has little to do with food. We’ll help you find and fight the cause of your disordered eating, and support your recovery process.

Eating disorders are complex and can show up in many different behaviors related to food and the body. The type of eating disorder one has is determined by how one eats and other behaviors related to food. Eating disorders can be extremely dangerous. Untreated eating disorders can cause serious health problems, organ damage, and nutrition deficiencies.

Despite the stereotype that women are the only sufferers, studies show that 1 in every 3 people with an eating disorder identifies as male. Anyone can suffer from negative body image, body dysmorphia, and disordered eating, including females, males, and non-binary individuals across all age groups.

The 3 Most Common Types of Eating Disorders

• Binge Eating Disorder
  Believed to be the most common eating disorder, individuals with binge eating disorder consume large amounts of food without control, typically done privately or in secret. Unlike bulimia, there is no purging after a binge associated with binge eating disorder.

• Anorexia Nervosa
  People with anorexia tend to view themselves as overweight even if they are not. They monitor their weight constantly, avoid certain types of food, and severely restrict their food intake. They may also over-exercise to burn calories.

• Bulimia Nervosa
  Bulimia is an eating disorder associated with binge eating followed by purging. Binges often involve food the individual often tries to avoid and involves a feeling of lack of control.

If you or someone you love is dealing with an eating disorder, help is available. Often, people choose inpatient treatment for severe eating disorders which can help reduce the immediate danger of the disorder. Most of the time, individuals benefit from a team treatment approach, working with a doctor in addition to a therapist who specializes in eating disorders or a Registered Dietitian or Nutritionist.

Our eating disorder therapists can help you find the root of your eating disorder, whether that is a family history of addiction, trauma, body dysmorphia, or other cause. We can help you make peace with your body and with your relationship to food. We can walk beside you as you unlearn harmful messages from society, remove external measures of health and “goodness”, and reach the larger goal of body and food acceptance.

Seeking the help of a Registered Dietitian can help even further if you are in need of nutrition counseling and nutrition therapy. Our Registered Dietitian can help you in your eating disorder recovery by providing a structured, individualized meal plan that nourishes your body as well as tools to cope with disordered eating triggers.

What is HAES?

Our eating disorder specialists work from a Health At Every Size (HAES) framework, meaning we believe that body size and shape does not indicate the health of the body. HAES stands against the idea of an “ideal” body type, recognizing that body shapes and sizes are impacted by other attributes like age, race, national origin, gender, sexuality, disability status, and more. Learn more about HAES here.

Signs of Eating Disorders in Kids under 12

Eating disorders impact people of all ages, even children. There are many factors at play that impact a child’s understanding of food and body morality.  The most common eating disorders in young kids are Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, Pica, and Anorexia nervosa. Childhood eating disorders look a little different than in adults and can be subtle. It’s important to seek help quickly if you suspect your child might be dealing with an eating disorder. Some early signs may include:

• Fear of stomach aches
• Aversions to tastes or textures
• Tantrums
• Excessive bowel movements
• Worrying about body image

Signs of Eating Disorders in Kids and Teens over 12

Spotting teen eating disorders can be difficult as they may try to hide their disorder from you. Often, teens will experiment with different or trendy eating styles (like vegan or carb-free diets) or sometimes skip meals. These behaviors are not concerning unless you begin to suspect they are hiding a bigger problem under the guise of one of these ways of eating. If you believe your teen has an eating disorder, speak to their doctor or therapist right away to get an assessment and help. Some signs of a teen eating disorder are:

• Eating large amounts of food at once, without control
• Eating when not hungry
• Sneaking away to eat, hiding food, or eating alone
• Feelings of self-disgust after eating
• Avoiding eating around others
• Vomiting or using laxatives
• Fasting
• Excessive exercise
• Eating extremely small portions
• Regularly skipping meals
• Obsession with food
• Counting calories, etc.
• Creating food rituals (like counting chews, etc.)
• Fear of being overweight

Meet Our Eating Disorder Treatment Team: