Eating Disorders: The Growing Mental Health Crisis

Eating disorders are a growing mental health crisis in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 30 million people in the US are affected by an eating disorder. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on a person’s physical and mental health. Eating disorders can affect people of any age, gender, or background, and they can be difficult to cope with and treat.

At Purple Sky Counseling in Murray, UT, we understand the severity of eating disorders and how difficult they can be to overcome. We provide comprehensive care to help individuals struggling with eating disorders, and we are dedicated to helping them find a path to recovery.

In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of eating disorders, the signs and symptoms to watch for, and the treatments available. We will also provide some helpful information on how to support someone with an eating disorder.

What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are a group of mental health conditions that involve disordered eating patterns and extreme focus on body weight and shape. Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of gender, race, or background. They are serious mental health conditions that can have a devastating impact on a person’s physical and mental health.

The most common types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED).

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves severely restricting food intake and excessive exercise. People with anorexia often have an intense fear of gaining weight and an extreme preoccupation with body shape and size. Anorexia can have dangerous physical and psychological consequences, including rapid weight loss, thinning hair, and an increased risk of death.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves episodes of overeating followed by extreme attempts to compensate for the overeating. People with bulimia often feel ashamed, guilty, or disgusted after overeating and may use purging behaviors such as vomiting or taking laxatives to try to “undo” the overeating. Bulimia can lead to serious health complications, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and damage to the digestive system.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder that involves episodes of overeating without compensatory behaviors such as purging. People with binge eating disorder often feel ashamed or embarrassed by their overeating and may feel powerless to control their eating. Binge eating disorder can lead to weight gain, obesity, and other physical health complications such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED)

Other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED) are a group of eating disorders that don’t meet the criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. OSFED includes a variety of disordered eating patterns, such as purging disorder, night eating syndrome, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). People with OSFED often struggle with disordered eating patterns and feelings of guilt or shame associated with their eating habits.

Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can have a devastating impact on a person’s physical and mental health. It’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder so that you can intervene and get help if needed.

Common signs and symptoms of eating disorders include:

• Extreme focus on body shape and weight

• Severe restrictions on food intake

• Excessive exercise

• Binge eating episodes

• Purging behaviors

• Unhealthy preoccupation with food

• Social isolation

• Low self-esteem

• Difficulty concentrating

• Fatigue

• Irritability

If you or someone you know is exhibiting any of these signs and symptoms, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. Eating disorders can be difficult to cope with and can have serious consequences if left untreated.

Treatment for Eating Disorders

At Purple Sky Counseling in Murray, UT, we understand the severity of eating disorders and how difficult they can be to overcome. We provide comprehensive care to help individuals struggling with eating disorders, and we are dedicated to helping them find a path to recovery.

The goal of treatment for eating disorders is to help individuals develop a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. Treatment typically involves a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, nutrition counseling, and medical monitoring.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals with eating disorders to identify and cope with the underlying issues that are contributing to their disordered eating.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves a group of people with similar issues coming together to discuss their experiences and support one another. Group therapy can be a powerful tool for individuals with eating disorders as it allows them to share their stories and connect with others who are also struggling.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping family members understand and support the individual with the eating disorder. It can help family members learn how to better communicate with each other and provide support for the individual.

Nutrition Counseling

Nutrition counseling is a type of counseling that focuses on helping individuals with eating disorders to develop healthy eating habits. A nutritionist or dietitian can provide education and guidance on how to make healthy food choices and develop a balanced diet.

Medical Monitoring

Medical monitoring is an important part of treatment for eating disorders. A doctor or nutritionist can monitor an individual’s physical health to ensure that they are receiving the proper nutrition and care they need to recover.

How to Support Someone With an Eating Disorder

If you know someone who is struggling with an eating disorder, it’s important to offer them your support and understanding. Here are some tips on how to support someone with an eating disorder:

• Listen – Listen to the person without judgment and let them know that you are there for them.

• Be patient – Eating disorders can take time to recover from, so it’s important to be patient and understanding.

• Encourage treatment – Encourage the person to seek treatment from a mental health professional.

• Offer support – Offer to help the person access treatment and to accompany them to appointments.

• Be positive – Offer words of encouragement and support and focus on their progress.

• Take care of yourself – Remember to take care of yourself as well. It can be difficult to support someone with an eating disorder, so it’s important to practice self-care.

Conclusion

Eating disorders are a growing mental health crisis in the United States. They can have a devastating impact on a person’s physical and mental health, and they can be difficult to cope with and treat. At Purple Sky Counseling in Murray, UT, we understand the severity of eating disorders and we are dedicated to helping individuals find a path to recovery. We provide comprehensive care to help individuals struggling with eating disorders, and we are committed to helping them find a way to recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional.