Anorexia/Bulimia

We all get a little funny from time to time about what we will eat, how much, and when.  However, for someone struggling with an eating disorder, food and controlling or restricting food intake become preoccupations that begin to damage relationships, mental health, and especially physical well being. Eating disorders are complex. Often people don’t understand that it isn’t just a simple preoccupation with being skinny or losing weight. Contributing factors can include brain and body chemistry, family influences, cultural influences, self-esteem, and erroneous beliefs about oneself.

If you notice some of the following symptoms in yourself or a loved one, we recommend obtaining a professional assessment as soon as possible:

• Constant dieting on low-calorie or high restriction diets
• Preoccupation with food that gets in the way of important daily activities
• Obsessive use of exercise
• Fear of not being able to stop eating once you start
• Seeing one’s body image differently than others see it
• Using body weight or image to determine one’s worth
• Ceased menstruation (or never started even when age appropriate)
• Binge eating
• “Purging” by vomiting
• Excessive exercise
• Use of laxatives

Unfortunately, all eating disorders have serious physical, mental, and emotional risks. It is common that the individual, as well as the other family members will put off talking to a professional, which can give more time for the disorder to progress in severity. Early intervention and treatment are extremely important, and possibly the difference between life and death.  Don’t put off an evaluation if you are in doubt. Call and we will sensitively and promptly set up an appointment with you for a professional assessment. 

Of course eating disorders fall along a spectrum and at the other end of the spectrum are the problems that come from overeating, using food to cope with unpleasant emotions, and other problems which lead to an overweight condition. For more information about overeating and weight loss click on this link:  Overeating & Weight Loss