Anorexia Nervosa (AN): 

 

Signs of Anorexia: 

• Dramatic weight loss

• Preoccupied with food, weight, body image

• Refusal to eat certain food groups, or randomly changing diets ex) becoming vegan

• Constipation or other GI issues

• Denies feeling hungry

• Reassures eating even though there is no evidence to it

• Develop food rituals ex) eats slowly, uses certain utensils or plates, rearranging food on plate

• Drinks excessive water during meals

• More socially isolated 

• Only wants to prepare own meals

 

Often, restriction begins as a determination to lose some weight. Usually, the intention is not to develop a full blown eating disorder. The determination and restriction progresses and transforms into an intense fear of gaining any weight. 

 

Commonly, those with anorexia are terrified of losing control and what might happen if they begin to incorporate food again. This fear of losing control and desire to remain at a certain weight, perpetuates and spirals the disorder. 

 

Our goal is to help intercept the thoughts and behaviors. We work towards understanding what drives the behaviors and ways to challenge distorted thoughts. 

 

Orthorexia: Similarly to Anorexia, there is often a preoccupation with food and body image. This is a condition where one becomes fixated and obsessed with only eating “healthy” foods. This person checks nutrition labels and facts for every food they eat. Often, food options become so limited due to fear of consuming something "unhealthy." 

 

Bulimia Nervosa (BN): 

 

Signs of Bulimia: 

• Preoccupation and extreme concern with weight loss, food, body image 

• Disappearance of large amounts of food in a short period of time 

• Lots of empty wrappers or containers 

• Leaves to go to the bathroom shortly after meals 

• Presence of laxatives

• Drinking a lot of water 

• Steals or hoards food 

• Skips meals 

• Exercises excessively 

• Swelling of cheeks 

 

Bulimia is the act of bingeing followed by a purge, whether self induced vomiting, use of laxatives, or exercise. 

 

Binge Eating Disorder (BED): 

 

Signs of Binge Eating: 

• Evidence of large amounts of food disappearing in a short period of time 

• Finding wrappers and empty containers 

• Frequently diets

• Disruption in normal eating behaviors 

• Eating alone, more socially isolated 

• GI complaints 

 

Bingeing can be intense and long in duration. Often, it occurs over the course of hours and consuming vast quantities of a variety of foods.

 

Our focus on treating BED is to help implement skills to help reduce compulsivity with eating and finding others ways to self soothe aside from the food. As with all eating disorders, we want to help you understand the underlying anxieties and motivation behind the binges. 

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