Eating Disorders

As many as 30 million people of all ages and genders in the United States suffer from an eating disorder, including anorexia, binge eating disorder, and bulimia. At Hudson River Care and Counseling in Hoboken and Teaneck, New Jersey, the licensed mental health specialists provide progressive, spiritual, and holistic counseling sessions for adolescents and adults living with an eating disorder. Their goal is to minimize its effect on your health, emotions, and daily function. Schedule an in-office or telehealth evaluation at Hudson River Care and Counseling by phone or request one online today.

Who is at risk of an eating disorder?

While eating disorders commonly develop in adolescence, they can affect anyone at any age or gender. Genetics, environmental factors, and personality traits contribute to the development of eating disorders.

What are the most common eating disorders?

The most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.

Anorexia nervosa

People with anorexia nervosa have abnormally low body weight and an intense fear of gaining weight. They severely limit their food intake and restrict portion sizes. Excessive exercise, laxatives, and purging may be employed as ways to reduce weight. 

Complications include malnutrition, organ failure, and low heart rate.

Bulimia nervosa

With bulimia, you have episodes of binging and purging. Your eating episodes are uncontrolled, often after following restricted eating during the day. Bulimic episodes are usually characterized by eating a large amount of food in a short time and then purging with vomiting, laxatives, or excessive exercise. Bulimia is usually accompanied by preoccupations with weight and body shape, as well as feelings of inadequacy. People with bulimia are usually of a normal weight or even a little overweight.

Binge-eating disorder

Binge-eating disorders are characterized by eating too much food in a short period of time and feeling out of control when eating. You eat quickly and have much more food than you intended. You may eat when not hungry and continue to eat even if uncomfortable and full. Binge-eating disorder can bring up feelings of guilt and disgust. You may feel deep shame, but don’t compensate for your binges. Those with binge-eating disorder may be normal weight, overweight, or obese.

What are the signs help is needed for an eating disorder?

Overcoming an eating disorder is challenging, especially on your own. Eating disorders, however, can take over your life and lead to serious medical complications. If you have the following symptoms or notice them in a loved one, call Hudson River Care and Counseling for support:

• Avoiding meals and making up reasons not to eat
• Eating on their own rather than eating what the family eats
• Withdrawing from normal social activities
• Constant worry and complaints about being fat and talk of losing weight
• Adopting an overly restrictive diet
• Excessive exercise
• Regularly eating large amounts of sweets or high-fat foods
• The employment of excessive dietary supplements, laxatives, or herbal products for weight loss
• Calluses on the knuckles from inducing vomiting
• Dental issues, such as loss of tooth enamel resulting from repeated vomiting
• Leaving during meals to use the toilet
• Feeling guilty or disgusted about eating habits
• Eating in secret

If you’re worried that you or a loved one may have an eating disorder, seek help before it causes serious complications. If you need help managing disordered eating, call Hudson River Care and Counseling. Their team treats patients of all ages with a variety of eating disorder presentations and offers progressive, spiritual, and holistic counseling. 

Disordered eating isn’t just a matter of eating more or controlling urges. Call Hudson River Care and Counseling or schedule an appointment online today to discuss treatment for eating disorders.