Eating Disorders

Nearly 10% of Americans develop an eating disorder during their lifetime. At PsychPro Health, based in Brockton, Massachusetts, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Ana Depina, PMHNP, diagnoses and treats anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and others. Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation with Ana at PsychPro Health by calling the office or using the online booking feature today. 

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are mental health conditions that affect the relationship you have with food and your body image (how you see yourself). They commonly affect emotional and physical health and can become life-threatening in some cases. Various forms of eating disorders exist. See Ana at PsychPro Health at the first sign of a problem in yourself or a loved one.

What are the different forms of eating disorders?

Examples of the different types of eating disorders are as follows.

• Binge eating disorder: eating a large amount of food in a short time followed by regret, shame, depression, or guilt
• Anorexia nervosa: distorted self-imaging and restricting food and calorie intake to the point of self-starvation because of a fear of gaining weight
• Bulimia nervosa: eating large amounts of food in short time periods (binging), followed by purging (vomiting, using laxatives, or exercising excessively)
• Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): limiting the type or amount of food eaten in an effort to lose weight
• Pica: compulsively eating non-food things, such as dirt, paint, crayons, or chalk
• Rumination disorder: foods are returned to the mouth after swallowing them and either re-swallowed, rechewed, or spit out

It’s possible to have more than one eating disorder at once. Nearly 30 million people in the United States have an eating disorder during their lifetime. 

What are the signs and symptoms of eating disorders?

The signs and symptoms of an eating disorder may include:

• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Weight loss or gain
• Hair loss
• Sweating/hot flashes
• Binge eating
• Severely restricting food intake and calories
• Only eating certain foods
• Compulsively exercising after meals
• Taking frequent bathroom breaks after eating
• Self-induced vomiting or laxative use after meals
• Hiding food
• Throwing food away
• Social withdrawal from family and friends
• Specific food rituals
• Eating food in secret
• Intense fear of becoming fat

When left untreated, eating disorders can lead to acid reflux, heart problems, gastrointestinal issues, low blood pressure, or osteoporosis. They can cause tooth damage, dehydration, constipation, stopped menstruation, infertility, and, sometimes, organ failure, stroke, or death. 

While the exact cause of eating disorders isn’t known, risk factors include genetics, brain changes, pressure to fit in, trauma, family history of eating disorders, and being a perfectionist, as well as depression, anxiety disorders, and similar mental health disorders.

How are eating disorders diagnosed?

Diagnosing an eating disorder with Ana at PsychPro Health involves a discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. Ana visits with you via telehealth or in person to complete a comprehensive mental health evaluation by asking questions about your thoughts, behaviors patterns, emotions, moods, habits, and more. 

How is an eating disorder treated?

Treating an eating disorder typically involves nutrition and healthy lifestyle education, medication management, and individualized therapy. Ana meets with you via telehealth or in person to complete therapy sessions and may recommend group therapy or in-patient treatment in severe cases. 

Schedule an eating disorder evaluation with Ana at PsychPro Health by calling the office or booking a telehealth or in-person visit online today.