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Eating Disorders
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WHAT IS AN EATING DISORDER?
Eating disorders are a serious mental health condition that can cause significant disturbances in a persons eating behaviours, overall health, as well as their thoughts and emotions surrounding food and body size. Oftentimes, people who struggle with an eating disorder develop an unhealthy preoccupation with food, calorie intake, and the size, weight and shape of their body. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, however disordered thoughts and behaviours around food, eating, and weight gain can still persist without a formal diagnosis - seeking help as soon as possible is key.

SYMPTOMS OF EATING DISORDERS

Anorexia nervosa can look like:
  • Restricting food intake
  • Low body weight/extreme weight loss
  • Fatigue, dizziness, or fainting
  • Intolerance to cold
  • Distorted body image
  • Obsessive fear of gaining weight
Note:  A person with atypical anorexia will meet all other criteria except low body weight. These individuals may have a body weight that is within or above the normal range, however they can still experience the same health risks as someone with a low body weight.

Bulimia can can look like:
  • Preoccupation with body size and weight gain
  • Regularly over eating large amounts of food in a short period of time
  • Forced vomiting, laxative abuse, or over exercising to compensate for overeating
  • Restricting food intake between binges

Binge eating disorders can look like:
  • Eating large quantities of food in a short period of time
  • Feeling out of control around food
  • Eating when you’re already full
  • Feeling shame and guilt around binge eating episodes
  • Preoccupied with thoughts about food and body size

HOW TO TREAT AN EATING DISORDER
Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses and require ongoing treatment and support for individuals to be free of dysfunctional thoughts and behaviours around food and eating.  It is helpful to work with a team of professionals who are experienced in the treatment of eating disorders, this may include physicians, mental health professionals, dieticians, as well a having support from family or close friends in the person's life. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectial Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and  Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) have been shown to be helpful in the treatment of eating disorders. If symptoms become severe it may be necessary to utilize hospitalization or a residential treatment program in order to keep the individual safe.

One-on-one counselling is a great place to start.  Book a consultation with a therapist at FreeMind Therapy, and find out if we're a good fit for you.
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LOCATION & CONTACT

1364-1771 Robson St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada (mailing only)
​info@therapyvancouver.ca
​1-604-337-8577
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  • HOME
  • CONTACT
  • BOOKINGS
  • OUR TEAM
    • Sheri Johnson
    • Heather Whalen
    • Kirti Agarwal
    • Sita Piers
  • AREAS OF PRACTICE
    • Trauma
    • PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress)
    • Addiction Program
    • Anxiety & Panic
    • Phobias
    • First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) & Metis Nation BC
    • Parenting
    • Pet Grief
    • Depression
    • Insomnia & Sleep Issues
    • Grief & Loss
    • Relationship & Couples Counselling
    • Eating Disorders
    • Child & Youth
    • Career Coaching
    • Online Counselling
  • RAPID RESOLUTION THERAPY
  • SPEAKING & CONSULTING