Purple Sky Counseling

Disordered Eating: A Growing Mental Health Concern

Purple Sky Counseling in Salt Lake County is dedicated to helping those struggling with a variety of mental health issues, including disordered eating. Disordered eating is a broad term that encompasses a range of unhealthy eating behaviors, such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and other eating disorders. It can be difficult to diagnose disordered eating, as it can look different from person to person, and can manifest in a range of ways. Nonetheless, it is a growing mental health concern that is important to address.

What is Disordered Eating?

Disordered eating is a term used to describe a range of unhealthy eating behaviors. It can include restrictive eating, compulsive overeating, purging, and other unhealthy habits. Disordered eating is often associated with an unhealthy relationship with food, body image, and weight. It is important to note that disordered eating is not the same as an eating disorder. Eating disorders are more severe, and can include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and other clinical diagnoses. While disordered eating is not classified as an eating disorder, it can lead to an eating disorder if left untreated.

Signs and Symptoms of Disordered Eating

It can be difficult to recognize disordered eating, as it can manifest in a variety of ways. Some of the most common signs of disordered eating include:

• Obsessive calorie counting

• Excessive exercise

• Skipping meals

• Eating in secret

• Extreme weight fluctuations

• Unhealthy preoccupation with food

• A distorted body image

If you or someone you know is exhibiting any of these signs and symptoms, it is important to seek help. Disordered eating is a serious mental health concern and should be treated as such.

Causes of Disordered Eating

The causes of disordered eating are complex and can vary from person to person. Some of the most common causes include:

• Cultural and societal pressure to be thin

• Stress

• Low self-esteem

• Unhealthy dieting habits

• Trauma

• Genetics

These are just a few of the possible causes of disordered eating. It is important to note that disordered eating is not caused by one single factor, but rather, a combination of factors.

Treatment for Disordered Eating

If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating, it is important to seek help. At Purple Sky Counseling in Salt Lake County, we provide individualized treatment plans to address the underlying causes of disordered eating. Our team of experienced therapists will work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your individual needs. Treatment may include a combination of psychotherapy, nutrition counseling, and medication management.

Conclusion

Disordered eating is a growing mental health concern that is important to address. It can be difficult to recognize disordered eating, as it can manifest in a variety of ways. If you or someone you know is exhibiting any signs and symptoms of disordered eating, it is important to seek help. At Purple Sky Counseling in Salt Lake County, our team of experienced therapists can provide individualized treatment plans to address the underlying causes of disordered eating. If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.