Counseling for Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder
Eating Disorder Counseling to Health and Happiness
Eating disorders share some of the same symptoms of anxiety, depression and addiction. They are also very misunderstood and often misdiagnosed.
People who suffer from anorexia see themselves as overweight (body image distortion), even when they are obviously underweight. They become obsessed with food and weight control, and weigh themselves repeatedly. Many literally die from starving themselves.
People with bulimia binge on large amounts of food. The food is then purged by forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or excessive exercise. The collateral physical damage is often permanent, resulting in chronic medical issues.
Anorexia and bulimia are driven by the person’s attempt to be in complete control of their body. The problem is that they are actually completely out of control. There is a high prevalence of anorexia and bulimia with people who’ve been abused or come from severely dysfunctional family systems.
Binge-eating disorder is like a food addiction. Unlike the bulimic purging, people with binge-eating disorder are usually overweight or obese, due to their out of control eating habits. Those who struggle with binge-eating disorder, like anorexia and bulimia, become obsessed with food and eat impulsively and compulsively.
Eating disorders have been treated as issues only women struggle with. But more and more men are now diagnosed with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorders.
Treatment of eating disorders requires a specialized multi-faceted therapeutic team. This includes a physician, dietician, physical therapist, family therapist and individual therapist.
I have many years of experience working with eating disorders at both inpatient and outpatient levels. These can be very challenging ailments to treat. However, with the proper treatment team people do recover successfully.
If you have concerns or questions about eating disorders, I’d like to hear from you.
Additionally, click here for a free download of Eating Disorders: About More Than Food.