Eating disorders most commonly occur during the teenage years, but being older or younger doesn’t prevent you or your loved one from developing this condition. The three most common types of eating disorders include binge eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa. Consequently, each comes with its signs and symptoms. If you suspect someone you care about struggles with their food intake, or if you struggle yourself, eating disorder treatment may be the solution. To learn more about our services, please contact Addiction Rehab Centers today at 844.910.0686.
Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
A too-thin, skeletal appearance usually characterizes anorexia. The person who struggles with this potentially life-threatening disorder is unable to view their body realistically. As a result, they limit caloric intake to unsafe levels to control their weight.
One of the saddest realities about anorexia is that the patient still sees herself as overweight even after losing too much weight. Eating disorders like these are mental issues that manifest as physical problems. To recover, the patient needs professional mental health care. Common signs of anorexia nervosa include:
- Drastic weight loss
- Severe limiting of calories
- Excessive exercise
- Frequent use of laxatives
- Negative body image
If you suspect your teen or other loved one may have anorexia nervosa, encourage them to seek eating disorder treatment right away.
Common Signs of Bulimia
Unlike anorexia, patients who suffer from bulimia nervosa usually don’t restrict calories. They eat many calories at once or binge eat until they feel unhealthy or sick. Afterward, they rid themselves of calories by vomiting, using laxatives, or using other unhealthy behaviors, such as excessive exercise.
Someone with bulimia may go all day without eating and then eat an unhealthy amount of food all at once. Often, they have no unusual weight gain or loss, but damage to the body occurs in other ways. For instance, someone who vomits regularly may damage the lining of the esophagus or stomach.
Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
Those who battle binge eating disorders will eat excessive amounts of food all at once. However, they don’t resort to vomiting or laxative use afterward. The calories they eat stay with them, which often results in obesity. After a binge, a patient feels guilt or embarrassment. They may vow to stop binge eating but have little control over the condition. If your loved one is a binge eater, they may suffer from a poor body image, high levels of stress, and low self-esteem. Treatment for an eating disorder may help.
What Most Eating Disorders Have in Common
Regardless of which type of eating disorder you may have developed, most are rooted in a poor body image and problems with self-esteem. Additionally, most are reflective of impulse control issues as well. Behavioral counseling and psychotherapy are often helpful in treating these conditions. Reach out to a mental health counseling center or addiction treatment facility nearby for more information.
Seek Help at Addiction Rehab Centers Today
For those in the Indianapolis area, Addiction Rehab Centers provides excellent care for patients who struggle with eating disorders. Our unique approach uses attachment therapy to help patients overcome feelings of neglect or abandonment that may stem from childhood or past trauma. Through the love and support of others, patients find their worth. Consequently, through self-worth, they find healing.
Call us today at 844.910.0686 for more information on how Addiction Rehab Centers of Indianapolis can help you or your loved one recover from an eating disorder. Additionally, you may contact us online to learn about our unique approach to addiction and our inclusive treatment community. Together, we can overcome impulse control and addiction problems and move forward into a brighter, healthier tomorrow.
