Eating Disorder Treatment: What You Need to Know 

There are different forms of eating disorders. Some of the commonly known ones include binge eating disorder, bulimia and anorexia. Each eating disorder has underlying causes and symptoms. Most of the time, people who struggle with eating disorders have underlying emotional or mental pain. They may have a negative self-image, anxiety or depression.

Unfortunately, a lot of people with this disorder are afraid to ask for help. They don’t know who to turn to or what to do. If this is what you have thought or you just have questions about eating disorder treatment, contact us here at Riverwalk Recovery Center in Chattanooga, TN. We will be happy to guide you in the right direction for the treatment of the eating disorder.

Eating disorders can be challenging and complex mental health illnesses. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Still, there are a variety of other conditions that can fall under the umbrella of “eating disorders.” 

It is not uncommon for those struggling with eating disorders to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start when it comes to treatment. There are many options for care, including outpatient eating disorder treatment, that can provide individuals with the support and guidance they need to work through their illness.


Signs & Symptoms of Eating Disorders

When determining if you or a loved one is dealing with an eating disorder, it is crucial to be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with these conditions. 

Common signs include: 

  • Extreme weight loss or gain
  • Preoccupation with food or dieting
  • Unhealthy attitudes toward food or body image
  • Isolation from friends and family members
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Fatigue or lethargy
  • Mood swings 

It is also important to note that different eating disorders will present differently. For example, someone struggling with bulimia may have swollen glands in the neck or cheeks due to purging, whereas someone with anorexia may show signs of hair loss due to malnutrition.

The Most Common Eating Disorders Include:

1. Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss due to self-starvation or extreme dieting. People with anorexia often have an unfounded fear of gaining weight despite being underweight and may engage in obsessive calorie counting or food restriction behaviors to prevent weight gain. 

Other signs of anorexia include: 

  • Preoccupation with food or body shape
  • Isolation from friends and family
  • Changes in mood or behavior
  • Changes in eating patterns
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular menstrual cycles (in women)
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Low blood pressure 

Treatment for anorexia usually involves therapy, nutrition counseling, and medical monitoring to ensure proper weight restoration and prevent complications such as electrolyte imbalances or other medical issues stemming from malnutrition. 

2. Bulimia Nervosa

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Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging (self-induced vomiting), use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, exercise binging, etc., to counter the effects of overeating. People with bulimia often feel a sense of shame around their overeating but struggle to control it due to feelings of guilt or anxiety about food. 

Signs of bulimia include: 

  • Frequent trips to the restroom after meals
  • Hoarding food
  • Avoiding social situations revolving around food
  • Drastic changes in weight
  • Dehydration
  • Tooth enamel erosion due to repeated exposure to stomach acid
  • Electrolyte imbalances due to purging
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Fatigue and irritability. 

Treatment for bulimia typically involves psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals identify triggers for their binge-eating behaviors and learn how to cope more effectively with difficult emotions without using food as a coping mechanism. 

Additionally, nutrition counseling can help individuals establish healthier relationships with food while ensuring proper nutrient intake for optimal physical health.  

3. Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating without any compensatory behaviors following the binge episode(s). People with binge eating disorder may eat large amounts of food rapidly while feeling unable to stop once they start eating, even if they’re full or hungry. 

They may also experience shame around their behavior but struggle to control it due to feelings of guilt or anxiety about food. 

Signs and symptoms include: 

  • Frequent trips out alone to buy/eat large amounts of food quickly
  • Avoiding social situations revolving around food
  • Drastic changes in body weight
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Fatigue and irritability 

Treating eating disorders typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals identify triggers for their binge-eating behaviors and learn how to cope more effectively with difficult emotions without using food as a coping mechanism, along with nutritional counseling, which can help establish healthier relationships with food while ensuring proper nutrient intake for optimal physical health. 

Outpatient care is available at many specialized treatment centers across the country for those who need help managing their symptoms but do not require hospitalization.  

Eating Disorder Treatment Plans

Treatment plans for individuals struggling with a mental illness such as an eating disorder will vary depending on the severity of their condition and other individual factors such as age, gender identity, medical history, etc. 

Treatments could include psychotherapy (talk therapy), medications (such as antidepressants), nutritional counseling (meeting regularly with a nutritionist), or even hospitalization if necessary (in cases where there is a risk of life-threatening complications due to malnutrition). 

No matter what treatment plan is chosen, it must be tailored specifically for each individual patient to ensure successful long-term recovery from an eating disorder. 

Finding Help With Eating Disorder Treatment

It is essential for anyone struggling with an eating disorder to remember that help is available and recovery is possible! With the right treatment plan tailored specifically for you by your doctor or therapist, you can regain control over your thoughts and behaviors surrounding food and start living a healthier life free from disordered thinking patterns about food or body image issues. 

If you think you might have an eating disorder, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help; you don’t have to suffer alone. 

Contact us today to start your enrollment in an eating disorder treatment program.

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Whether you are struggling with depression, addiction, an eating disorder or some combination of these, we can help. All you need to do is make the first move and reach out to us. Let’s get you better, together.

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