Embedded Files
Do you ever:
Wonder if your relationship with food is normal?
Spend your days thinking about your body?
Worry about being stuck as a "picky eater" forever?
Feel like you have no ability to stop eating?
Think there's no problem because of your body size?
Use food as a way of control?
You may be struggling with an eating disorder.
What is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are defined by a difficult relationship with food; however, they are not one size fits all. There are a variety of different diagnoses, including:
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa
Behavioral/Emotional Symptoms:
Restriction of food intake.
Disturbed experience of body weight, shape, and size.
Obsession with calories, food, weight, and body shape/size.
Desire for and attainment of weight loss.
Fear of particular foods deemed "bad" or "unhealthy"
May include purging through exercise, vomiting, or laxative use.
Body checking in the mirror to observe any changes in shape or size.
Guilt and shame around eating.
Physical symptoms:
Low heart rate
GI issues
Weakness
Brittle hair/nails
Loss of menstrual cycle
Feeling cold
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Behavioral/Emotional Symptoms:
Alternating between periods of eating large quantities of food to the point of past fullness and periods of purging by exercise, vomiting, or laxative use.
Desire to prevent weight gain.
Body checking
Physical Symptoms:
Swelling and puffiness in face and limbs.
Russell's Syndrome (Cuts on knuckles).
Dental issues.
Dehydration.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder
Behavioral/Emotional Symptoms:
Periods of eating large quantities of food to the point of past fullness.
Eating is done quickly and often in secret.
Loss of control around eating and feeling an inability to stop.
Guilt and shame about these periods.
Physical Symptoms:
GI Issues
Weight change
Fatigue
Avoidant/Resistant Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Avoidant/Resistant Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Behavioral/Emotional Symptoms:
Lack of interest in food.
Sensory issues due to taste, texture, smell.
Fear of consequences of eating.
Limited number of foods they will consume.
May present as extreme picky eating.
Physical Symptoms:
Underweight or significant weight loss
Nutritional deficiencies related to malnutrition
Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED)
Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED)
OSFED may be any of the above diagnoses that don't meet full DSM-5 TR criteria for diagnosis.
How do you treat an eating disorder?
Our team believes in a multi-disciplinary approach, often collaborating with dietitians and medical providers, to support our clients in their recovery process. For therapy, each clinician has their own approach, including: Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). We are committed to the philosophies of Harm Reduction, Anti-Diet, and Health at Every Size (HAES).
What if I feel like I have an eating disorder?
If you feel like you are struggling with any of the above symptoms, our team is here to help you figure out the next steps. We'll work with you to identify how you feel about your current relationships with food and body image. Recovery is possible.
Page updated
Report abuse