Eating disorders consist of several very serious conditions in which individuals are so preoccupied with the food they eat and what they weigh that they care about them to the exclusion of nearly everything else. The three main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Eating disorder therapy can help change the way patients see themselves and their food.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms of eating disorders, and each one is different. Anorexia nervosa notably causes the patient to refuse to eat, sometimes by denying hunger. They have a real fear of weight gain and excessively exercise, and due to their lack of food and nutrition, are thin and irritable. Bulimia nervosa is associated with binging and purging, so any signs of either, such as excessive eating or vomiting, are often signs of bulimia. Additionally, rotting teeth from the stomach acid and diarrhea from possible laxative use are other common signs. Binge eating occurs when the patient eats to the extreme point of discomfort. It is often emotional and the patient eats far more than they would at a normal meal or snack.
Causes
Most eating disorder counselors agree that emotional health is a very large factor, while biology may be much less of one. Self esteem problems and traumatic events, as well as societal influences, can often influence emotional and other types of eating disorders as well.
Treatment
Medication cannot treat an eating disorder. Psychotherapy by a trained therapist is the favored treatment option, as it can get to the root of the problem rather than focusing on the symptoms alone. However, sometimes the symptoms must be addressed in therapies in which patients learn about nutrition and restore their body to a healthy weight.
Prevention
Nutritional education and good self-esteem are both critical to preventing eating disorders. Treating them early, before your weight hits an unhealthy level in either direction, is also incredibly important. This is why it’s crucial to go to an eating disorder counseling center as soon as possible if any symptoms start to develop.
Why Choose New Horizons
Our eating disorder counseling services in McKinney are some of the best available, and our mission is to help every patient heal. With our comprehensive approach and access to licensed professionals, concerned patients and their families find themselves addressing many of their concerns in one location, with out continuously needing to find additional licensed professionals elsewhere. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call or pay us a visit.
