Eating Disorders Treatment

Eating disorders are a group of serious conditions in which you're so preoccupied with food and weight that you can often focus on little else. It can cause serious physical problems and, at their most severe, can even be life-threatening.

The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.

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People with anorexia have an extreme fear of weight gain and a distorted view of their body size and shape. As a result, they strive to maintain a very low body weight. Some restrict their food intake by dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise. People with anorexia try to eat as little as possible, and take in as few calories as they can, frequently obsessing over food intake.

Bulimia is characterized by habitual binge eating and purging. Someone with bulimia may undergo weight fluctuations, but rarely experiences the low weight associated with anorexia. Both disorders can involve compulsive exercise or other forms of purging food eaten, such as by self-induced vomiting or laxative use.

Binge eating disorders, food phobia, and body image disorders are also becoming increasingly common in adolescence.

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Although anorexia and bulimia are very similar, people with anorexia are usually very thin and underweight but those with bulimia may be a normal weight or even overweight.

The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown. As with other mental illnesses, there may be many causes.

It's important to remember that eating disorders can easily get out of hand and are difficult habits to break. Eating disorders are serious clinical problems that require professional treatment by doctors, therapists, and nutritionists. Treatment of an eating disorder generally includes a team approach comprised of medical providers, mental health providers and dietitians, all with experience in eating disorders.