Eating Disorder Counseling
According to the American Psychiatric Association, eating disorders are behavioral conditions characterized by severe & persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions. There are several different types of eating disorders. The Clinically Licensed Therapists at 360 Therapy work with adults challenged by:
Adult Anorexia Nervosa (Restricting subtype) — Anorexia Nervosa is a disorder that creates severe weight loss and refusal to maintain body weight. It often includes an intense fear of gaining weight even if the person is under weight. Coupled with this is a negative self-image due to body shape or appearance, known as “body image disturbance.” Outwardly, a person suffering from anorexia may avoid eating in public and wear baggy clothing to disguise their body. Inwardly, people diagnosed with anorexia are often in denial, depressed, withdrawn, irritable, and have difficulty sleeping. In addition, they can also experience fatigue, low blood sugar, thinning hair, and a slowed heart rate.
Anorexia Nervosa can cause several serious health complications. People with Anorexia may go for extended periods without eating or receiving proper nutrients, which may cause lasting side effects. Anorexia Nervosa can be a fatal disorder. Among mental health disorders, it has one of the highest mortality rates. Early intervention greatly increases the likelihood of recovery. It is also important that the family and friends of someone going through an eating disorder, get help and support for themselves.
Outpatient treatment can be effective using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In case of severe Anorexia Nervosa, the admission to an inpatient or residential behavioral specialty program may be indicated. Most specialty programs are effective in restoring weight and normalizing eating behavior.
Adult Bulimia Nervosa (Binge eating & Purging subtype) – Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder where an individual has regular episodes of binge eating (consuming a large amount of food in a short period of time) followed by purging (eliminating calories). Those challenged with Bulimia, may purge via one or several of the following methods: self-induced vomiting, compulsive exercise, laxative use, diuretic use, insulin misuse, and/or diet pill use.
It is common for those experiencing Bulimia Nervosa to have a negative body image related to their body’s size, weight, or shape. Many individuals who experience Bulimia Nervosa may also struggle with other conditions such as: self-injury, substance abuse, and impulsivity. Bulimia can cause a number of serious health complications. The cycle of bingeing and purging can cause damage to everything from teeth and esophagus to heart and liver. That is why early intervention is extremely important.
Outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy for Bulimia Nervosa is the treatment with the strongest evidence. It helps patients normalize their eating behavior and manage thoughts and feelings that perpetuate the disorder. Antidepressants can also be helpful in decreasing urges to binge and purge.
Adult Binge Eating Disorder (BED) — As with Bulimia Nervosa, people with Binge Eating Disorder have episodes of binge eating in which they consume large quantities of food in a brief period, experience a sense of loss of control over their eating and are distressed by the binge behavior. Unlike people with Bulimia Nervosa however, they do not regularly use compensatory behaviors to get rid of the food by inducing vomiting, fasting, exercising or laxative misuse. The binge eating is chronic and can lead to serious health complications, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.
The diagnosis of Binge Eating Disorder requires frequent binges (at least once a week for three months), associated with a sense of lack of control and with three or more of the following features:
- Eating more rapidly than normal
- Eating until uncomfortably full
- Eating large amounts of food when not feeling hungry
- Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating
- Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty afterward
As with Bulimia Nervosa Disorder, the most effective treatment for Binge Eating Disorder is Cognitive Behavioral therapy for binge eating. Interpersonal therapy has also been shown to be effective, as have several antidepressant medications.
Adult Purging Disorder — Those who experience Purging Disorder will typically abuse laxatives and/or cause themselves to vomit in a harmful effort to maintain a certain weight or physical image. Purging occurs in people who fall within a normal weight range, and does not include binge eating.
Eating Disorder Treatment – Once an individual has an eating disorder it is very difficult to stop. This is because there is a false sense of control over situations that become addicting. Due to the severe health risks and possibility of death, it is critical to seek treatment as soon as possible. Treatment for eating disorders is different from person to person but there are common underlying factors that are apparent to all those with a food addiction. Chief among these are low self-esteem and an overemphasis on body shape and weight. It is important to know that most eating disorders are treatable.
360 Therapy’s highly experienced professional staff can effectively guide individuals through the complex interactions between underlying beliefs, difficult emotions and unhealthy behaviors that characterize the many forms of eating disorders. The results can be both life-changing and lifesaving.