Eating Disorders

Nearly 30 million Americans develop an eating disorder during their lifetime. If you have an unhealthy relationship with food and need support, see the experts at Anywhere Wellness, based in Everett and Chelan, Washington; Boise, Idaho; Denver, Colorado; and Jacksonville, Florida. These experienced mental health specialists diagnose and treat eating disorders in children, teenagers, and adults. Schedule a telehealth evaluation by calling the office or booking a visit online today. 

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are conditions affecting your relationship with food and often your body weight or self-image. There are several different types that can lead to being underweight, overweight, malnourished, or having unhealthy lifestyle habits. The experts at Anywhere Wellness offer treatments that help restore your food relationship and mental well-being.

What are the different types of eating disorders?

The following are examples of eating disorders:

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which you might binge on a large amount of food during a short time period, followed by purging (forcing yourself to throw up, using laxatives, or exercising excessively).

Anorexia nervosa

People with anorexia restrict their food intake (self-starvation) due to a fear of gaining weight or a distorted self-image. They are often underweight.

Rumination disorder

Rumination disorder is a condition in which you return undigested food to your mouth after swallowing it, rechew the food, and spit it out or re-swallow it. 

Pica 

People with pica eat non-food items like dirt, paint, ice chips, soap, clay, or chalk.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

ARFID is an eating disorder in which you limit the type or amount of food eaten for reasons other than weight loss or a distorted body image. 

Binge-eating disorder

Binge eating disorder is characterized by eating a lot of calories in a short period and not being able to stop eating, despite feeling full. 

What are the symptoms of eating disorders?

Eating disorder symptoms may include:

• Being underweight or overweight
• Binging with or without purging
• Eating too few calories
• Fatigue
• Thinning hair
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Malnutrition 
• Restrictive eating
• Avoiding certain foods
• Withdrawing from friends and family 
• Hiding food
• Food rituals
• Social isolation 

People with eating disorders may experience guilt, shame, or a lack of control surrounding food. They might also have depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or other co-existing mental health concerns. 

Risk factors can include genetics, brain changes, trauma, stress, perfectionism, or underlying mental health conditions.

How are eating disorders diagnosed?

The Anywhere Wellness experts diagnose eating disorders by completing a psychiatric evaluation using DSM-5 criteria. They discuss your thoughts, behaviors, moods, lifestyle, and relationship with food. If you have another mental health disorder, your provider may complete genetic testing to determine which medicines are likely the most appropriate. 

How are eating disorders treated?

Common treatments for eating disorders include:

• Medication management
• Psychotherapy 
• Nutrition counseling
• Lifestyle modifications 
• Support groups
• Intensive outpatient therapy several times weekly
• Inpatient program referrals

Your therapist tailors a treatment, offering superior and lasting outcomes.

Schedule a telehealth eating disorder evaluation at Anywhere Wellness by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.