Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions surrounding body image and relationships with food — and they can have severe physical and psychological consequences. They’re among the deadliest mental health conditions, and, unfortunately, recent years have shown an increase in their prevalence.
At Boston Neurobehavioral Associates, our team offers experienced, compassionate care for people with eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia. In this blog, we take a closer look at a few of the reasons behind the rise in eating disorders, and on how mental health therapy plays a crucial role in recovery.
An estimated 28.8 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetimes, and that number’s on the rise. In fact, the percentage of people dealing with eating disorders in the United States nearly doubled between 2000 and 2018.
Here are a few reasons why. Our culture emphasizes unrealistic body ideals, and constant exposure to media promotes these ideals. In addition, an increased use of social media platforms has created an environment where comparison is all too easy.
The pressure to conform to societal beauty standards puts people of all genders and ages at a higher risk of developing disordered eating patterns. Constant comparison can trigger and perpetuate unhealthy behaviors related to food and body image.
Another factor is societal expectations surrounding achievement, success, and perfectionism. People who strive for perfection in work, school, or relationships may turn to controlling their food intake or body weight as a way to gain a sense of control over their lives.
Learning how to identify the symptoms of these conditions is crucial for early detection and intervention — whether it’s you or a loved one who’s struggling.
The main symptom of anorexia is severely restricted food intake, which can often cause significant weight loss. People with anorexia often have a distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight, despite being objectively underweight.
Anorexia can also cause an obsession with exercise, as well as an overwhelming preoccupation with food and caloric intake. People with anorexia may also develop rituals around eating, such as cutting food into small pieces or continuously moving it around on the plate.
Like anorexia, bulimia comes with an intense preoccupation about body shape, weight, and/or food. People with bulimia experience recurrent episodes of binge eating, often followed by behaviors to prevent weight gain, like self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise.
Bulimia can make you feel a loss of control and feelings of guilt, shame, or disgust after binge eating episodes, which is why you purge. If you purge regularly, you might develop dental issues, swollen salivary glands, and/or electrolyte imbalances.
Eating disorders are complicated, but they’re treatable. Mental health therapy supports your recovery process, and our team is ready to help you start your journey to better health.
Here are some ways therapy can help you manage an eating disorder:
Eating disorders often stem from deeper emotional and psychological issues, like low self-esteem or trauma. Therapy provides a safe space to explore and address these underlying concerns, so you can start to develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Our therapists help you identify what triggers your eating disorder and develop personalized coping mechanisms to replace destructive behaviors. This process includes learning effective strategies to manage stress, negative emotions, and body image concerns in healthier ways.
Therapy helps you learn to have a healthier relationship with food by challenging distorted thoughts and beliefs you may hold. Depending on your situation, we may recommend intuitive eating, recognizing hunger and fullness cues, and fostering a balanced and nourishing approach to nutrition.
Eating disorders often come with feelings of loneliness and isolation. We may recommend group therapy or joining a support group to connect with others who share similar experiences. This sense of community and support can be immensely beneficial and provide encouragement throughout your recovery process.
The rise in eating disorders is a concerning trend, and it’s important to recognize the signs in yourself and your loved ones. Seeking professional help offers hope, support, and guidance toward a healthier, balanced, and fulfilling life.
Contact our team at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates to learn more about eating disorder support and schedule your first appointment.
