Eating Disorders Treatment Maryland and Washington, D.C
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that manifest through severe disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. These disorders can have devastating effects on physical health, emotional well-being, and daily functioning. At Unique Minds Behavioral Health Services in Maryland and Washington, D.C, we provide compassionate support and effective treatment strategies to help individuals struggling with eating disorders find their way back to health.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders involve persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact health, emotions, and ability to function in important areas of life. The most common eating disorders include:
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Anorexia Nervosa: Characterized by weight loss, difficulties maintaining an appropriate body weight for height, age, and stature; and, in many individuals, distorted body image. People with anorexia generally restrict the number of calories and the types of food they eat.
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Bulimia Nervosa: Involves periods of eating unusually large amounts of food followed by behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives, or excessive exercising.
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Binge Eating Disorder: Similar to bulimia, binge eating disorder involves frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food but without the subsequent purging behaviors associated with bulimia.
Symptoms of Eating Disorders
The symptoms of eating disorders can vary depending on the specific type of disorder but typically include:
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Anorexia Nervosa: Extreme restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image.
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Bulimia Nervosa: Regular intake of large amounts of food followed by purging, fear of gaining weight, and feeling out of control during the binging episodes.
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Binge Eating Disorder: Eating large amounts of food in a short period, feeling a lack of control during the episode, and feelings of shame or guilt afterward.
Eating disorders are believed to result from a combination of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors. Risk factors include:
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Family history: Having a first-degree relative with an eating disorder increases the risk.
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Psychological issues: Such as an obsessive concern with weight or body shape.
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Social pressure: Especially within cultures that place a high value on being thin.
Causes of Eating Disorders
Psychotherapy
Such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or family-based therapy.
Nutritional counseling
Helping individuals adopt healthier eating habits and reverse patterns of starvation or binge-eating.
Medical care and monitoring
Addressing health complications and ensuring the individual’s physical health is stabilized.