Treatment for Eating Disorders

Understanding the different eating disorders

Eating disorders are considered extremely dangerous illnesses as well as extremely serious behavioral problems. There are three primary eating disorders, namely anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Although they all have similar characteristics, they are very different in many respects. Consider the following:

•  Anorexia Nervosa causes you to starve yourself until you become thin and unhealthy. But even though you think you are overweight, in reality you most likely aren’t yet you refuse to eat enough.
•  Bulimia Nervosa involves alternating periods of bingeing or overeating followed by purging which is characterized by defensive or self-induced vomiting, or abusing diuretics, enemas, and laxatives.
•  Binge Eating Disorder is simply eating that is out of control.

Women are nine times more likely to develop eating disorders than men are and the average age of onset is 18. However, it is females in the 13 to 20-year old range that are the most prone to developing an eating disorder. All of these can turn potentially life-threatening if the individual does not seek out professional treatment for eating disorders immediately. Of all the mental illnesses known to man, eating disorders have exhibited the highest mortality rate.

Treating these disorders

The treatment for eating disorders may vary from one to the next. However, common treatment factors include group and individual counseling, medical intervention, mental health therapy, monitoring the individual, and nutritional counseling. The first step when it comes to treatment involves seeing an eating disorder specialist. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, family therapy, and psychotherapy are all components for treating all three of the eating disorders mentioned above.

The harsh reality is that treating any eating disorder can be somewhat challenging because the condition is usually accompanied by a behavioral or mental disorder such as anxiety or depression. Substance abuse or dependency may also be an issue that needs to be treated along with the eating disorder. Not only is the individual with the eating disorder suffering, so are their families, friends, and loved ones.

Our eating wellness center can help

If you or a loved one is currently suffering with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or compulsive eating disorder, please contact Harmony Grove immediately so we can prescribe a treatment plan that will effectively address your individual needs. We have day treatment, intensive out-patient, and residential programs that have helped women from all over the world. We can easily customize one that will work for you based on a simple assessment interview.

For more information on the treatment for eating disorders or to ask any questions, please call the phone number at the top of this page.