Eating Disorder.

Eating disorders are serious conditions that cause both physical and emotional damage. While people with eating disorders usually try to hide the problem, there are warning signs you can watch for. Early treatment makes recovery easier, so talk to your friend or family member if you’re worried. You can’t force a person somebody with an eating disorder to change their behaviors or beliefs, but you can make a difference by showing that you care, offering your support, and encouraging the person to seek professional help. 1

Eating disorders include serious and extreme attitudes, behaviors, and emotions surrounding weight and eating issues. They have serious emotional and physical consequences. An eating disorder can affect anyone regardless of sex, gender identity, race, class, or sexual orientation. The most common element in all eating disorders is low self-esteem. A person does not need to have all of the signs or symptoms to have a particular eating disorder and to need help and a person can have a combination of eating disorders at one time. 2

Groups like Overeaters Anonymous (OA) and Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA) can play an important role in an ongoing treatment plan and are effective with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. Professional treatment teams are recognizing the importance of developing spirituality and healing the soul in eating disorder sufferers as a key to recovery and these groups can fill that role for people who are seeking help outside of a professional treatment setting.

Since 1990, Remuda Programs for Eating Disorders has treated nearly 8,000 women and girls suffering from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. And with great success. A full 95% of patients remain in recovery after discharge, an outcome that appears unmatched by any other treatment center in the world. 4

Binge eating disorder is more common in people who are obese, but it affects people with healthy weights as well. However, there's little information on how many children and teens are affected by the disorder because the condition has only recently been recognized, and many people may be too embarrassed to seek help for it. Adults in treatment often say their problems started in childhood or adolescence. Still, it's believed that 2% of adult Americans — roughly 1 million to 2 million people — have the disorder. 5

Studies have found that people with binge eating disorder may find it harder than other people to continue in weight loss treatment. In addition, they may be more likely to regain weight quickly. These are some of the reasons that people with binge eating disorder may require treatment that focuses on their binge eating before they try to lose weight. Further, even those who are not overweight are frequently distressed by their binge eating and may benefit from treatment. 6

An eating disorder is characterized by an abnormal relationship with food and body. Contrary to popular belief, eating disorders are not based just solely on food, and it affects males as well as females. There are many contributing factors that lead to anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder that have nothing to do with food, but are expressed through behaviors of disordered eating. The pattern of abnormal eating and dieting affects health, interpersonal relationships and socialization with significant emotional and medical complications. The American Psychiatric Association recognizes it as a major mental health diagnostic category. The Academy for Eating Disorders reports that conservative estimates for American females age 12 and up affected by eating disorders may exceed 10%. 7

Each patient has a team of professionals to help her understand why she got the eating disorder and how to recover from it. These include a primary care provider, psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, dietitian and nurses. Along with individual and group therapy, patients engage in experiential therapies such as art, body image, equine and challenge course. 8

It can be scary and embarrassing to seek help for an eating disorder. But it’s important to get treatment. Eating disorder recovery is much easier when you have experienced, caring health professionals in your corner. 9

Something Fishy is determined to remind each and every sufferer of anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating and binge eating disorder that they are not alone, and that complete recovery is possible. If you are the loved-one of someone that suffers with an eating disorder, use this website to educate yourself. The more you know, the more you are equipped to provide the support your loved-one needs. If you have an eating disorder, you can find help. And you deserve to do both. 10

Eating disorders consist of a complex array of psychological and physical symptoms and complications. Castlewood's treatment philosophy is to provide the highest quality, multi-modal intervention to facilitate the fullest recovery possible. Treatment goals include the restoration of body weight to near ideal, understanding and developing healthy eating behaviors, increasing autonomy from compulsive patterns and facilitating an enhanced attitude toward self and body. 11

A lot of girls and even older women are suffering from eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. Although these disorders seem like ordinary phases that everyone goes through, they are actually serious health conditions that can destroy victims emotionally and physically. Rebecca's House has eating disorder treatment programs for those who need them. 12

Often those who have binge eating disorder suffer with the disorder for years, feel ashamed, depressed may feel very alone. It is important to recognize that you are not alone, there are millions like you and there are successful treatment options available for you. 13

Once your health problems are under control, you and your doctor or therapist can work on a long-term recovery plan. First, you’ll need to assemble a complete eating disorder treatment team. Your team might include a family doctor, a psychologist, a nutritionist, a social worker, and a psychiatrist. Then you and your team will develop a treatment plan that’s individualized to meet your needs. 14

A recent study reported in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease conducted over 14 years time examined 1002 female twins for "lifetime eating disorder behaviors" (LEDB), or behaviors that had been present in the past or currently, such as binge eating, self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting and low body weight—in relation to how these behaviors were influenced by certain genetic and environmental risk factors. The scientists also looked at whether the number of LEDB had an impact upon the person’s ability to function. 15

Anorexia and bulimia are difficult to overcome without support. It’s important to have people you can turn to when you need a sympathetic ear or a word of encouragement. While family and friends can be a huge help, you may also want to join an eating disorder support group. Participating in an eating disorder support group can help you feel less isolated. They provide a safe environment where you can talk freely about your eating disorder and get advice and support from people who know what you’re going through. 16

One of the deadliest eating disorders a person can have is bulimia nervosa. This usually involves binge eating and then purging in the form of vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, or taking medication like diuretics. It is destructive to the body both physically and emotionally so it needs to be treated immediately. Rebecca's House has treatment programs to combat this eating disorder. 17

Before, anorexia is believed to be an eating disorder that only affects females. Rebecca's House can provide the right treatment program against this destructive eating disorder so those suffering from it can live normally and feel better about themselves again. 18

The Something Fishy Website on Eating Disorders is not meant as a replacement for care from your doctor. If you are in medical crisis please contact your doctor, eating disorder treatment team, therapist or dial 911 (or equivalent local emergency number in your area). 19

For those who provide treatment or support for those suffering with Eating Disorders (psychiatrist, therapist, social worker, psychologist, support group, dietician, medical doctor, hospital, or treatment facility) and wish to be included on this referral source list, please fill out the form below. The Eating Disorder Recovery Center and Addictions & More website is and always will be an informational and supportive website. The purpose of this website is to provide information to those who are suffering from eating disorders, their family members or those simply seeking help about eating disorders. It is purely educational in nature.