Tragically, few things have risen more nationwide — particularly among young girls — than challenges with body image and a fixation on appearance. These issues have manifested in various ways, including a major spike in eating disorders.
While the increase in eating disorders is massive and highly problematic, there is good news: Eating disorders are eminently treatable. Individuals can recover and lead happy and healthy lives — provided they receive appropriate treatment.
“Eating disorder” is an umbrella term encompassing many illnesses. There isn’t just a single eating disorder but a series of disorders. What ties eating disorders together is psychological distress that manifests itself in unhealthy eating habits.
The most commonly known eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
Anorexia nervosa occurs when an individual intentionally starves themselves. This issue is often caused by a need to regain control over one’s life or a body image that is out of line with reality. In extreme forms, anorexia can be deadly, with individuals starving themselves to death.
Bulimia occurs when individuals intentionally purge themselves of food after eating. This disorder is often characterized by binging on food, only to intentionally vomit later.
The two disorders can coexist, or individuals may shift between one and the other. A therapist must work with an individual to address the underlying issues and then alter behavior accordingly.
That being said, a series of lesser-known eating disorders often require specialized treatment. These include:
As noted above, there is no such thing as an “eating disorder.” Instead, eating disorders should be considered an umbrella term for various disorders.
Therefore, diagnosing an eating disorder can be challenging and vary wildly, depending on the disorder from which someone suffers. For example, individuals who are anorexic typically exhibit the following symptoms:
Individuals who suffer from bulimia will exhibit the following:
A variety of traditional treatments and therapeutic modalities have been created that can help someone overcome an eating disorder.
It is also worth noting that alternative therapies, such as equine-assisted therapy, can be very helpful in allowing an individual to overcome their eating disorders.
Click on the article to read additional information about the impact of equine-assisted therapy and its potential benefits.
As beneficial as traditional treatment approaches can be, there is also no question that individuals suffering from eating disorders also need additional wrap-around services to address the whole person. In many cases, that means dealing directly with nutritional needs.
At Transformations Mending Fences, we’re here to help. Our in-patient treatment facility has an on-site cafeteria that can make nutritious meals for any patient — including those suffering from an eating disorder. We also have a chef and nutritionist on-site with years of experience working with individuals suffering from these illnesses. As such, we’re prepared to help anyone suffering from an eating disorder.
We pride ourselves on being able to treat a vast array of mental illnesses, including eating disorders. We offer a vast array of therapeutic therapies and can help in-patient or outpatient individuals manage their eating disorders, develop a healthy relationship with food, and ultimately address any underlying psychological issues that have contributed to their mental illness.
Ready to learn more? Contact us today to learn how we can help you or a loved one overcome your eating disorder.
