EATING DISORDER TREATMENT

A diagnosis of anorexia, bulimia or compulsive overeating is appropriate when the individual becomes obsessed with food and/or is preoccupied with their body image.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Anorexia, Bulimia, and Compulsive Overeating can affect anyone. However, most victims are females between the ages of 10 and 34. In fact, more than 500,000 American women suffer from some form of eating disorder.

The cause of these eating disorders is unknown. We do know, however, that eating disorder victims tend to be perfectionist, sensitive to the extreme, easily hurt, devastated by the smallest hint of criticism, and craving for attention. Individuals who compulsively overeat have been found to have extreme feelings of abandonment.

DO YOU OR DOES SOMEONE YOU KNOW

• Make excuses during meals why he/she is not eating?
• Is dissatisfied with weight in spite of excessive weight loss?
• Goes to the bathroom frequently, especially after meals?
• Wears layers of clothing; is always cold?
• Complains of dizziness and possibly experiences fainting spells?
• Seems angry, uptight, cries more easily. Spending more time alone; less time with friends and family.
• Buys large amounts of food that disappear quickly?
• Sudden onset of severe tooth decay?
• Uses laxatives, diuretics and diet pills? Discusses "dieting", "calories", "weight" and "exercise" a great deal?
• Petty stealing to buy food for binges?

TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE

TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS

Anorexia Nervosa is a serious, life-threatening disorder of deliberate self-starvation with wide-ranging physical and emotional components. The person becomes obsessed with food, weight, counting calories and vigorous exercise. The person may be extremely thin, but sees himself or herself as being fat.

Bulimia Nervosa is defined as recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by excessive exercising, purging (self-induced vomiting) or by laxatives and/or diuretics (water pills). The person may have normal body weight.

Compulsive Overeating (or binge eating) is defined as lack of control over eating in a discrete period of time, such that the individual often feels she cannot stop eating or choose how much they eat. The main difference from bulimia nervosa is that binge eaters do not purge. Some individuals may be of normal weight, but many are obese. Binge eaters find it difficult to fight their tendency to gobble their food or to keep eating in check, particularly during times of stress.

Awareness Behavior Changes Cognitive Restructuring

Treatment of Eating Disorders requires a comprehensive psychological assessment of the individual by a certified eating disorder specialist. Biopsycho-social factors contributing to the eating disorder must be identified. The professional psychotherapist works collaboratively with the primary care physicians, and nutritionist to develop an individualized treatment plan. After the establishment of a correct diagnosis and personalized treatment plan, the individual may begin education and psychotherapy.

Individuals with eating disorders will develop an Awareness of why they developed an eating disorder and how it affects them and their loved ones. Awareness and Affective (emotional) changes are an integral part of treatment.

Eating Behaviors negatively impacting on the individual's physical, spiritual and emotional well being will be identified and replaced with health supporting Behaviors.

Cognitive Distortions ("twisted thinking") will be identified and challenged in therapy. The destructive self-talk that triggers destructive emotions and eating will be analyzed and challenged by positive affirmations to strengthen self-confidence and improve self-esteem.