Eating Disorder and Disordered Eating Services
What is an eating disorder?
According to the National Association of Eating Disorders (NEDA), Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights.I have come to understand that eating disorders are complex, life-interfering mental health disorders. The specific causes of eating disorders are not fully understood, but we do know it is likely a combination of one’s genetics and environmental factors. Eating disorders can look very different and are officially labeled in the DSM-V as the following:Anorexia NervosaBulimia NervosaBinge Eating Disorder (BED)Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED)
*Of particular note, many individuals do not meet the DSM-V criteria for certain eating disorders and equally deserve the care and support of specialized providers.What is Disordered Eating?
It may be easiest to explain by thinking about one’s eating patterns on a continuum where one end is ‘normal’ eating and on the other end eating disorders sit. But somewhere between ‘normal’ eating and an eating disorder sits disordered eating. While not all behaviors and beliefs around food fully meet the DSM-V criteria of an eating disorder, disordered eating can often be just as debilitating and distressing as eating disorders. This could look like an obsession with eating ‘healthy’ foods, restricting certain types of foods or food groups, overeating, or excessive concern around compensation for one’s food intake. The pre-occupation with one’s food intake and the associated distress it causes is worthy, too, of treatment and support. Most often, individuals find themselves engaging in disordered eating prior to developing a diagnostic eating disorder. It is recommended to get treatment as soon as possible. How do I know if I or a loved one struggles with an eating disorder?
Preoccupation with one’s food intake or body (counting calories, obsessively tracking food intake, etc.)Obsessive thoughts surrounding food or body imageObsessive and/or excessive exercising Distress following the planning, making, or eating of meals Distress while wearing certain types of clothingDesire to hide one’s body (could be by wearing oversized clothing or avoiding social situations)Increased anxiety or depression symptomsAvoidance of situations where the body is common exposed (i.e. beach, pools, gyms, etc.)Feeling “guilty” for eating certain foods or food groupsFeeling out of control with foodFrequent trips to the bathroom soon after meal timesComparing one’s body to others Low energy and fatigueHair loss Appetite decrease or increaseFeeling cold more often than usual *It is important to note that these common signs and symptoms are not always present for all individuals and can be symptoms of other physical/mental health concerns as well.My approach to working with eating disorders & DISORDERed Eating
Evidence-Based Modalities Commonly Used:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Increased awareness and adjustment of one’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors.Mindfulness-Based Interventions - Increased awareness of one’s present-moment experience without judgementAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Connecting to one’s value system and increasing flexibility in one’s present-moment experienceExposure Based Therapies - The practice of approaching distressing events versus avoiding them.
The individual needs of any client will vary, as will my therapeutic approach and clinical interventions. Because eating disorders do not typically exist in a vacuum, clients may also be struggling with past trauma, anxiety, depression, OCD, and substance use. In general, I work to help clients develop skills to reduce the life-interfering eating disorder behaviors prior to any significant trauma reprocessing. My hope is to provide direct, competent, and compassionate services while simultaneously ensuring one’s physical and emotional safety. I am passionate about and follow the principles of The Health at Every Size (HAES) framework.