If you’ve been worrying about your own eating behaviors or suspect someone you care about might be in trouble, this blog is for you.
Eating disorders can be incredibly isolating, but they’re actually way more common than many people realize.
Maybe you’re noticing changes in food intake, like constant binge eating, or you’ve seen a loved one skip meals or become anxious about weight gain. Know that these aren’t just quirks—they can be signs of a serious mental illness that affects both mental and physical health.
The good news? You don’t have to stay stuck. Once you can recognize and address an eating disorder, real healing is possible. Here, we’ll explore how treatment for eating disorders works, why they might develop in the first place, and how to offer help—so that no one has to face this alone.
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are a group of mental disorders that create ongoing disruptions in normal eating behaviors.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, these conditions can seriously harm a person’s physical health and emotional well-being. You might see them overlap with other mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression, or even obsessive compulsive disorder in some cases.
There are a lot of myths around eating disorders, so it’s important to know they’re not simply about dieting or willpower. These disorders run deeper, often linked to self-esteem and emotional stress. Understanding them is a key step to help prevent eating disorders from escalating and to guide someone toward healthier habits.
Types of eating disorders
There are a few common eating disorders that you might come across, each with its own unique challenges. If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these, the right eating disorder treatment plan can help you cope, recover, and reclaim your mental and physical health.
Anorexia nervosa
People with anorexia nervosa severely limit their food intake due to a powerful fear of gaining weight. They often have a distorted body image and may struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
Bulimia nervosa
For those with bulimia nervosa, episodes of binge eating are followed by attempts to “undo” it—like using laxatives or forcing themselves to vomit. On the outside, someone might seem to have a stable weight, but they’re still at risk of serious health problems.
Binge eating disorder
People with binge eating disorder regularly consume large amounts of food in a short span of time, often feeling a loss of control during these episodes. There’s no purging afterward, but those with this disorder tend to feel immense levels of guilt and shame post-episode.
Orthorexia
Orthorexia is when someone becomes hyper-focused on eating only “clean” or “healthy” foods, to the point where it negatively impacts their daily life and relationships. They might cut out entire food groups and feel anxious about every meal or snack they eat.
Why eating disorders might develop
The causes of eating disorders aren’t always black and white. Sometimes, social pressure around body image triggers harmful eating disorder behaviors, but contrary to popular belief, it’s not always about wanting to look a certain way.
Eating disorders can develop due to a range of other factors—like genetics, life trauma, or mental health conditions like obsessive compulsive disorder. Low self-esteem can intensify the urge to restrict or binge, for example, and many people also use food as a coping mechanism for stress or emotional pain.
In short, eating disorders aren’t just “bad habits”. They’re complex coping mechanisms—ones that often require professional support and compassion to overcome.
Signs of eating disorders
Wondering if you or someone close to you might have an eating disorder? Here are some signs to keep in mind:
- Restrictive eating: Skipping meals, cutting out major food groups, or an unusual fear of weight gain.
- Binging & purging: Eating large quantities of food very quickly, followed by guilt or behaviors like vomiting.
- Mood shifts: Irritability, sadness, or anxiety tied to meals or body image.
- Body image issues: Expressing shame about weight or shape, or obsessing over the scale.
- Secretive habits: Avoiding meals with friends or disappearing to the bathroom right after eating.
Sometimes, warning signs are subtle. If you notice a friend withdrawing socially or fixating on calories, it may point to an underlying problem. Early recognition can help prevent eating disorders from getting worse and lead to quicker intervention.
Treatment options for eating disorders
There’s no single way to go about treating eating disorders because each person’s situation is unique. Having said that, effective care often includes a few key approaches:
Talk therapy
Meeting with a mental health professional is a great starting point. Techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy target unhelpful thoughts, while dialectical behavior therapy (or dialectical behavioral therapy) teaches coping skills for managing intense emotions.
Family therapy
When loved ones are on board, it can speed up recovery. Family therapy or family-based treatment addresses relationship patterns and offers ways to support healthy decision-making at home.
Medical monitoring
Doctors and nutritionists watch over heart health, bone density, and other physical health markers. They may also suggest meal planning to improve eating habits or explore ways to maintain a healthy weight without swinging between extremes.
Intensive outpatient therapy
If someone needs more structured help than weekly visits but doesn’t require a hospital stay, intensive outpatient therapy offers regular, in-depth sessions to address lingering challenges.
Ways to manage eating disorders
Beyond professional care, small daily steps can really help:
- Self-care: Journaling, meditating, or gentle exercise can ease stress and help you connect with what you’re feeling.
- Support circles: Friends, mentors, or online eating disorder support forums can offer accountability and remind you you’re not alone.
- Balanced choices: Crash diets or rigid rules can backfire, so it’s best to build gradual, sustainable habits.
- Open communication: Regularly check in with a mental health professional, especially if stress levels are high or new triggers surface.
What to do if you think someone you love has an eating disorder
If you think a friend or family member might be dealing with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder, starting a caring conversation can be a lifeline.
Let them know you’ve noticed changes, and that you’re there to listen without judgment. Encourage them to connect with mental health providers like Region Five or explore resources like the National Eating Disorders Association.
Avoid blaming or pressuring them to “just eat differently”; instead, show empathy and patience. If they’re open, consider family therapy so everyone can learn constructive ways to support their recovery together.
We’re here to help
Nobody should face treatment for eating disorders alone. Whether you’re looking for personal guidance or want to help a loved one, Region Five Crisis & Counseling Services can connect you with the care you need. From talk therapy to intensive outpatient therapy, we’ll work with you to find a plan that fits.
Ready to begin? Schedule an appointment with your local CSB. You don’t have to face this journey by yourself—let’s find hope and healing together, one day at a time.
