Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious but treatable.

They are mental illnesses that can affect any age, gender, race, ethnicity, or body type.

At the core of these illnesses are disordered thoughts, emotions, and behaviors about food, eating, and body image.

Do you feel like you “just need to lose five more pounds”?

Do you think that number on the scale reflects your self-worth?

Are you constantly exclaiming, “Nothing fits!”?

Do exercise and MORE exercise dominate your to-do list?

Are you buying laxatives?

Do you say you’re “full” even when you’re starving?

I can help. I have experience with teens through adults to understand the conditions that create guilt, anxiety, and despair. I have a proven history of getting to the core of the issues that lead to the eating disorders described here and helping to overcome and thrive.

Anorexia Nervosa

This is an unhealthy disturbance in body shape and image, often characterized by a refusal to maintain a healthy weight. Individuals with Anorexia Nervosa try to starve themselves, so it’s no surprise that it’s the number one killer of all mental illnesses.

Peer pressure, preoccupation with being thin, and identity conflicts can contribute to anorexia. And it’s often perpetuated as these young girls are praised when they lose weight, leading them down a bad path.

Do you measure your food?

Do you avoid foods out of fear of weight gain?

Do you compare yourself to people thinner?

Do you think you are fat when you look in the mirror?

Do you think about food, dieting, and weight all of the time?

Do you have an intense fear of gaining weight?

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa is a serious emotional eating disorder that involves eating excessive amounts of food in a short period of time (binging), followed by guilt and shame that leads to self-induced vomiting, overexercise, or laxative abuse (purging).

There are many causes, including genetics, chemical imbalances in the brain, and environmental stressors such as abuse or trauma. In addition, emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem can also be factors.

Do you eat large amounts in a short time?

Do you feel preoccupied, worried, or sad about weight?

Do you feel out of control?

Do you intentionally vomit after eating?

Do you over-exercise to compensate for food eaten?

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by recurring episodes of consuming large amounts of food in a short period to the point of discomfort and feeling ill. Some of the things that can bring on this disorder can be an out-of-control feeling that makes you feel shame or embarrassment.

Do you eat when you are full?

Do you feel out of control around food?

Do you use food, so you do not have to feel your feelings?

Do you feel misunderstood?

Do you feel guilty after eating?

I know this isn’t easy, but I’m here to help.

I use the Maudsley Method and Family-Based Therapy to treat eating disorders. This method is used for treating teens with Anorexia. These are intensive, outpatient treatment approaches where the parents take a very active role. It’s a three-phase approach:

Phase 1 – Weight Restoration

Here, parents take on the disease and control meals, focusing on re-feeding and restoration of weight.

You can expect to sit as a family for meals and snacks.

Parents are coached either during the session or at another time to support and engage you with eating food. Parents are encouraged to plate a certain amount of calories.

Phase 2 – Returning control over eating to the individual.

In this phase, the individual learns to take back control of overeating habits slowly. This begins when the ideal body weight is 87% reached.

When you are in an upward weight trend, this phase can begin. Parents take more of a back seat as the therapist comes forward to treat the underlying issues.

Phase 3 – Establishing a healthy identity

We’ll start this phase when the individual can sustain 95% of their ideal body weight.

Once we have established that you are at a safe weight, parents become uninvolved in treatment, and the therapist works with you as you continue to identify issues that may have triggered an eating disorder.

Let’s work together so you can be healthy and happy again.

If you are tired of counting calories… if you want to silence your eating disorder voice….

And if you are truly ready for change, call me for a free consultation: (610) 639-2265.