Eating and Body Image

Common Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa: A person who suffers from anorexia has extremely low body weight for his/her height and often suffers from an intense fear of gaining weight, often resisting all outside attempts of helping the person achieve a normal body weight. Individuals with anorexia often see themselves as overweight even though they tend to be very thin. They frequently use food or starving themselves as a way of feeling more in control of their life and to ease the pain of difficult emotions. Anorexia can be life threatening and requires immediate professional attention.

Bulimia Nervosa: People who suffer from bulimia present with episodes of binge-eating followed by maladaptive techniques of weight control (e.g., vomiting, excessive laxative use, compulsive exercising). Excessive body concerns around weight and shape are also common problems for individuals suffering from bulimia. This behavior is often a response to problematic feeling states such as low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. Individuals often fluctuate between feeling out of control (binging behavior), and then attempting to regain control by engaging in their weight loss efforts. Like anorexia, the physical and emotional impact of this problem can be devastating and requires immediate professional intervention.

Binge-eating disorder: Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food in a short period of time. A key feature of these episodes is a feeling of a complete lack of control over one’s eating. It is often driven by intense emotions like depression, anxiety, or daily stress, and can often be used to fill an empty feeling.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder: People who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder obsessively focus on perceived flaws that they see with their bodies, even if these flaws are imagined or minor. This obsessive focus on their flaws interferes with their ability to function in a healthy and adaptive way in other areas of their lives.

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): ARFID can be broken down into three subtypes; sensory based avoidance, avoidance due to fear of a consequence, and lack of interest in eating. Unlike other eating disorders, a person with ARFID does not have body image concerns. Oftentimes ARFID can be seen but not limited to individuals who are neurodivergent and/ or exhibit OCD symptoms. ARFID can impact nutritional intake, increase medical concerns due to limited diet, and increased social isolation.

In addition to help with more severe eating problems, we have a comprehensive weight and lifestyle management program at Equilibria Psychological and Consultation Services. Our goal is to help our clients develop a more adaptive and healthy relationship with food, fitness and overall health.

Understanding the root of one’s eating issues is imperative to try and stop the cycle of negative thinking and self-destructive behaviors. By identifying these negative thought and behavior patterns, we help our clients develop more positive relationships with their bodies, food and fitness. We work closely with nutrition, medical and exercise professionals in the community to help our clients develop a healthier approach to their eating and bodies.

If you are affected by any of these conditions, we can help.