types of eating disorders

Are you wondering if you have an Eating Disorder? Maybe you have been diagnosed with an Eating Disorder and don't know what to do next. Perhaps you are a parent, spouse, friend, or relative of someone with an eating disorder and want support and answers for yourself.

Advances in Mental Health and Addictions Treatment Center is a Day Treatment and Intensive Outpatient Program serving adolescents and adults struggling with Eating Disorders.

If you think you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder please have them call us: 562.365.2020

A
Anorexia Nervosa
Individuals with anorexia refuse to maintain a minimal body weight and exhibit marked body image disturbance. Symptoms may include:

  • • Extremely low body weight
  • • Intense fear of gaining weight or
       becoming fat
  • • Distorted body image; sees self as fat
  • • Ritualistic eating, eating the same low
       calorie, low fat foods day after day
  • • Social Isolation
  • • Obsessive preoccupation with food yet
       eating very little
  • • Compulsive and excessive exercise
  • • Mood swings
  • • Denial that anything is wrong
  • • Loss or irregular menstruation
  • B
    Bulimia
    This disorder is characterized by recurring episodes of binge eating (eating large, excessive amounts of food in a relatively short period of time), followed by purging to avoid weight gain. Purging may include self-induced vomiting, compulsive and excessive exercising, fasting or dieting, the use of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills.

  • • Recurrent episodes of binge eating
  • • Feelings of lack of control over eating
       during binges
  • • Can be above, below or normal body weight
  • • Depression
  • • Mood Swings
  • • Social Isolation
  • • Impulsive behavior that may include
       drug use
  • • Suicidal thoughts
  • C
    Compulsive Overeating & Binge Eating
    Compulsive overeaters feel out of control with food. Once they start eating they feel as if they cannot stop. They repeatedly diet in order to try to regain control. Many compulsive overeaters feel they overeat at each meal and depression is common as their repeated efforts to change have failed. Others eat more normally at meals but binge eat without active purging on a regular basis. These binges feel out of their control. Many are overweight and feel extreme shame and isolate themselves which increases feelings of low self-esteem and depression.

  • • Yo Yo dieting
  • • Pre-occupation with food
  • • Fear of not having enough to eat
  • • Fear of not being full
  • • Feeling of guilt
  • • Binge Eating