Millions of people in the United States struggle with diagnosable eating disorders or have some form of disordered eating. The effects of disordered eating can be long-lasting for people’s physical and mental health and can impact their ability to have a healthy social life. Disordered eating can cause stress and trauma for the people who struggle with this condition and their families. Eating disorder treatment offers people the best chance to heal from disordered eating. Not only do people learn how to repair their relationship with eating, but they get the opportunity to understand and heal the causes of their eating disorder.
If you or a woman you love require sensitive, compassionate treatment for disordered eating, you are not alone. The staff at Women’s Recovery work to empower women to recover from eating disorders and live the life they deserve. Reach out to us today at 833.754.0554 for more information about our programs, or fill out an online contact form.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Disordered Eating
Disordered eating is a physical and emotional condition, and its symptoms can reflect this fact.
Physical Symptoms of Disordered Eating
Some of the physical symptoms of disordered eating include:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Fluctuations in weight
- Missed menstrual periods
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Dental problems
- Changes in skin, hair, and nails
- Infrequent bowel movements
These symptoms don’t necessarily mean that the woman is battling disordered eating, but it may be time to seek treatment if she has multiple symptoms.
Emotional Symptoms of Disordered Eating
Emotional symptoms of disordered eating include:
- Preoccupation with weight, dieting, calories, or food in general
- Extreme focus on body shape or size or certain body parts
- Performing rituals around food or eating
- Limiting the foods they eat to categories or items they consider to be “safe”
Someone who lives with disordered eating may have one or more of these symptoms, which may change over time. In general, focusing intensely on food or body image so that it affects their behavior might be a sign that someone is struggling with disordered eating.
Common Myths About Disordered Eating
Portrayals of eating disorders are common in popular media, but they do not always show the condition accurately. Because of this, common myths surround this common condition. These misconceptions can keep people from recognizing that they or someone they love have a problem. Understanding these myths and correcting them is an integral step in raising awareness of disordered eating and may lead to more people getting the help they need.
One of the most common myths surrounding disordered eating is that all people who struggle must be underweight. This is not true. People of all sizes and shapes can have patterns of eating or habits around food that are unhealthy. Obese and overweight people can experience the same mental, physical, and social health damage from these behaviors as those who are visibly underweight.
Another common myth is that disordered eating is only something that young white women battle. In truth, women make up about 75% of the people who seek eating disorder treatment every year. This means that about 1 in 4 people are men. It is a condition that affects anyone, regardless of age, race, affluence, or body size. The media fails to show the full spectrum of this condition, but anyone can have an eating disorder.
What Can You Expect From Women’s Eating Disorder Treatment?
In most cases, women receive nutritional counseling, individual therapy, and medical and psychological support and observation. They may require medical care for the physical symptoms of disordered eating. In addition, they receive support from peers and compassionate staff who have experience in treating people with disordered eating.
Women’s eating disorder treatment can help women heal their relationship with eating and adopt new, healthy habits that sustain their physical, mental, and social health. A combination of evidence-based treatments and holistic practices gives women the care and skills they need to recover from disordered eating.
Learn More at Women’s Recovery
If you or a woman you love require the support of an eating disorder treatment program, reach out to the staff at Women’s Recovery for information about our programs. Our goal is to empower women to learn about their eating disorders and how to live in recovery. As part of our eating disorder treatment program, we also offer:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Mental health treatment
- PTSD treatment
- Women’s trauma treatment
If you are ready to take the first step towards your future free of disordered eating, we will walk the rest of the way with you. Please call 833.754.0554 today, or fill out an online intake form here.
