u003ch2u003eu003cbu003eWhat Are Body Image and Eating Disorder Issues?u003c/bu003eu003c/h2u003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eEating disorders are about much more than food. Eating disorders often manifest from a need for control, family discord, genetic predispositions, societal pressures, illness, or other mental health issues.u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eNo matter the cause, eating disorders take a detrimental toll on one’s body and overall health. Symptoms may include distorted body image, nutrient deficiencies, weight fluctuations, heart and brain damage, or even death, depending on the eating disorder type.u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eEating disorders are also connected to several mental health-related ailments, including but not limited to low self-esteem and self-worth, anxiety, depression, shame, and perfectionism. While eating disorders are about more than food, food is how individuals with eating disorders cope with inadequacy feelings in the absence of more effective and adaptive coping methods. u003cspan style=u0022color: #ffffff;u0022u003ebody image and eating disorder issuesu003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003ch3u003eu003cbu003eWhat Are Different Types of Eating Disorders?u003c/bu003eu003c/h3u003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eu003cbu003eAnorexia Nervosau003c/bu003e is an eating disorder associated with weight loss and distorted body image. Individuals with anorexia often restrict the number of calories and types of food they eat. They may feel ashamed of their body or their habits but have difficulty changing them.u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eSome symptoms of anorexia nervosa pose dangerous, long-term effects and include:u003c/pu003enu003culu003enu003cliu003eSeverely restricting caloriesu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eDistorted body imageu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eIntense fear of gaining weightu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eLow blood pressureu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eHeart and brain damageu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eYellowing of skinu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eFragile and brittle nails or hairu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eFeeling cold a lotu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eFatigueu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eDeathu003c/liu003enu003c/ulu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eu003cbu003eBulimia Nervosa u003c/bu003eis an eating disorder characterized by reoccurring binge-and-purge cycles. Individuals with bulimia may partake in frequent binge eating accompanied by drastic efforts to avoid weight gains through methods such as self-induced vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise. Those with bulimia may be underweight, overweight, or normal weight. Still, bulimia nervosa can cause severe damage to the digestive system and create harmful chemical imbalances in the body.u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eSymptoms of bulimia nervosa include:u003c/pu003enu003cul class=u0022ul1u0022u003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eHaving a lack of control over the binge-and-purge cycleu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eUsing laxatives or forcing yourself to throw upu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eExcessive fasting or exerciseu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eChronically swollen throatu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eTooth erosionu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eAcid refluxu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eDehydrationu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eIrritation of intestinesu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eImbalance of electrolytesu003c/liu003enu003c/ulu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eu003cbu003eBinge Eating Disorder u003c/bu003eis the most common eating disorder in the United States. Individuals with binge eating disorder frequently partake in binge-eating episodes consisting of large quantities of food in a short period, often leading to physical discomfort and pain. Binge-eating may be associated with a loss of control, followed by shame, distress, and guilt.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003eUnlike bulimia nervosa, people with binge eating disorder do not usually attempt to purge their bodies of food or calories.u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eSymptoms of binge eating disorder include:u003c/pu003enu003cul class=u0022ul1u0022u003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eFeeling a lack of control whenever you eatu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eEating fast and continuing to eat even when fullu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eOnly eating alone to avoid feelings of embarrassmentu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eBecoming overweight or obeseu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eFeelings of guilt and shame around eating habitsu003c/liu003enu003c/ulu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eu003cbu003eRumination Disorder u003c/bu003eis an eating disorder characterized by regurgitating previously chewed and swallowed food followed by rechewing and either re-swallowing or spitting out the food. u003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eThis rumination typically occurs within the first 30 minutes after a meal. Unlike medical conditions like reflux, it’s voluntary. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eSymptoms of rumination disorder include: u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cul class=u0022ul1u0022u003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eEffortless regurgitation, typically within 10 minutes of eatingu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eAbdominal pain or pressure relieved by regurgitationu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eA feeling of fullnessu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eBad breathu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eNauseau003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eWeight lossu003c/liu003enu003c/ulu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eu003cbu003eAvoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (AFRID) u003c/bu003eis an eating disorder characterized by troublesome eating due to disinterest in food in general or distaste of certain smells, tastes, colors, textures, or temperatures.u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eSymptoms of AFRID include:u003c/pu003enu003cul class=u0022ul1u0022u003enu003cli class=u0022li2u0022u003eAvoiding or restricting food, causing insufficient calories or nutrientsu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li2u0022u003eEating behaviors that interfere with daily social functions, such as eating with othersu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li2u0022u003eWeight loss or underdevelopment for age and heightu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li2u0022u003eNutrient deficiencies or dependence on supplements or tube feedingu003c/liu003enu003c/ulu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eu003cbu003eOrthorexia u003c/bu003eis an eating disorder not officially listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders. Orthorexia is an eating disorder best characterized by an unhealthy focus on “clean and healthy” eating to the detriment of one’s health and overall wellbeing.u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eWarning signs and symptoms of orthorexia include:u003c/pu003enu003cul class=u0022ul1u0022u003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eCompulsive checks ofu003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003ea food’s nutritional labels and ingredientsu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eIncreased focus on the health value of food and ingredientsu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eCutting out food groups considered “unhealthy or unsafe” (e.g., all sugar, all carbs, all dairy, all meat, etc.)u003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eRefusal to eat any foods other than those narrowly defined as “healthy or pure”u003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eExcessive focus on others’ diet and nutritional healthu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eBody image concerns may or may not be presentu003c/liu003enu003c/ulu003enu003ch3u003eu003cbu003eShould I Seek Therapy for Eating Disorders?u003c/bu003eu003c/h3u003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eNo matter the type, eating disorders are challenging and take a detrimental toll on one’s health and overall life functioning. Wondering whether you or a family member should seek therapy for an eating disorder?u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eBelow is a list of some of the most common signs of an eating disorder:u003c/pu003enu003cul class=u0022ul1u0022u003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003ePreoccupation with food and caloriesu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eExcessive weight gain or loss in short periodsu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eEmbarrassment about food habits or eating in front of othersu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eObsession with food and preparation in a way that disrupts plans, relationships, work, etc.u003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eRecurring patterns of binging and purging/restricting/exercisingu003c/liu003enu003cli class=u0022li1u0022u003eConsistent disappointment with physical appearance, negative self-talk and put-downs, comparisons to others’ bodies, and avoidance of certain clothing types to hide body partsu003c/liu003enu003c/ulu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eIf you or a family member exhibits one or more of the above symptoms, therapy can help.u003c/pu003enu003ch2u003eu003cbu003eWhat Are My Next Steps?u003c/bu003eu003c/h2u003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eAt u003ca href=u0022https://washington-psychwellness.com/u0022u003eWashington Psychological Wellnessu003c/au003e, we understand that overcoming an eating disorder can be challenging and overwhelming. Our eating disorder therapists have expertise in helping you establish a more adaptive and healthy relationship with food, yourself, and your body.u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eYour therapist will provide compassionate care delivered at a pace that feels safe and comfortable for you.u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eOur therapists value an integrative and holistic approach in care and will happily reach out to, collaborate, and coordinate care with a reliable treatment team, including dieticians, psychiatrists, or physicians. Through treatment, you will live a life authentic to your personal goals, needs, and aspirations.u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eAre you ready to seek therapy for an eating disorder?u003c/pu003enu003cp class=u0022p1u0022 style=u0022text-align: justify;u0022u003eWashington Psychological Wellness is here for you. u003ca href=u0022https://washington-psychwellness.com/contact/u0022u003eContact us nowu003c/au003e for a complimentary 15-minute initial consultation to learn how therapy for an eating disorder can help you! u003cspan style=u0022color: #ffffff;u0022u003ebody image and eating disorder issuesu003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e
u003ch3u003eResourcesu003c/h3u003enu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtmlu0022u003ehttps://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtmlu003c/au003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/information-eating-disorderu0022u003ehttps://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/information-eating-disorderu003c/au003eu003c/pu003e