Most common in women, but also occurring in men, eating disorders are marked by self-destructive and even dangerous disturbances in eating behavior. The two main subtypes of eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa – a disorder in which a person is unable or unwilling to maintain a minimally healthy body weight, is preoccupied and intensely afraid of gaining weight, and harbors a distorted perception of body shape and size, and Bulimia Nervosa – a disorder characterized by eating binges followed by unhealthy compensatory behaviors, like self-induced vomiting or the inappropriate use of laxatives, to prevent weight gain. Like those suffering from anorexia nervosa, people with bulimia nervosa are also preoccupied with body shape and weight. Both of these disorders seem to be desperate attempts by sufferers to cope with anxiety and gain some sense of control over their lives. Eating disorders are thought to be disturbances of the brain’s appetitive circuits, and may also be related to serotonin and dopamine metabolism.
At Cottonwood, our behavioral health dieticians consult with our psychiatrists and eating disorders therapists to design personalized, whole-person treatment plans that can bring safety and structure to our patients’ disordered eating. Anorexia treatment and bulimia treatment begins with a thorough psychiatric evaluation, comprehensive nutritional assessments and exercise assessments, and a body composition analysis. Our clinicians can then use these assessments and in vivo experiential activities, like mindful eating meal sessions, to help Cottonwood patients establish a healthier relationship with food.
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