Eating Disorders are serious life threatening illnesses that require specialized and professional treatment. They may begin with a preoccupation with food, weight, or dieting; however they are complex conditions that are about much more than food. There are several different kinds of eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Compulsive Overeating.
Some of the signs and symptoms of these eating disorders are:
- Restricting food or refusal to eat certain foods
- Dramatic weight loss or weight gain
- Denial of hunger
- Food rituals
- Preoccupation with food, weight, calories, or fat content
- Eating large amounts of food while feeling unable to stop or control it
- Self-induced vomiting
- Use of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to lose weight
- Fear of gaining weight
- Excessive or rigid plan for exercise
- Uncomfortable eating around other people
- Low self-esteem
- Feeling of shame about eating behaviors
- Belief that self-worth is connected to body size, shape, or weight
- Critical of body
- Chronic dieting
- Hair loss
- Loss of menstrual cycle
- Dizziness/Headaches
If you, your family members, or friends are struggling with an eating disorder or body image concern, please call today to arrange an initial assessment to determine what treatment is best for your unique situation.