At Columbia Mental Health, eating disorder treatment is offered to help clients understand and overcome the emotional and physical toll of disordered eating. Our team of professionals can help you understand the underlying causes of eating disorders, explore effective strategies for managing disordered eating behaviors, develop healthy coping skills, and improve dietary habits.
If you are looking for more knowledge about our eating disorder treatment services, please get in touch with us at 703.682.8208 today to schedule your initial appointment. In our eating disorder treatment center, you’ll have access to life-changing solutions that will allow you to reach a place of better mental well-being.
What Is Disordered Eating?
Eating disorders can come in many different forms and can impact nearly anyone. Disordered eating can take the form of overexercising, binge eating, or restrictive eating. These episodes can last for long periods of time and rise to the level of a specific diagnosis. Regardless of how long disordered eating patterns occur, these types of concerns can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. Disordered eating can have a wide range of causes and presentations, but all forms of disordered eating can be addressed with the help of mental health professionals.
Some of the most common forms of eating disorders include:
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulimia nervosa
- Binge-eating disorder
- Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (AFRID)
Anorexia nervosa, also called anorexia, is an eating disorder in which people severely restrict their food intake to maintain a low body weight. People with anorexia become so fixated on maintaining an unrealistic body image that they may become dangerously thin. Anorexic individuals often feel intense fear and anxiety about gaining weight. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes of binging and purging and also can include restrictive behaviors. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, also known as AFRID, is characterized by being unable to meet daily nutritional needs for reasons other than concerns about weight gain. This may include sensory issues or other challenges. Any extreme nutrient restriction or deficit can have devastating physical effects, and the distorted body image accompanying these behaviors can have devastating mental effects.
From Our Clients
“During this challenging time they are a wonderful team comprised of caring therapists and prescribers who are able to help those in need.” – Lisa
Eating Disorder Treatment
Treatment for disordered eating at Columbia Mental Health may include:
Therapy
Psychotherapy can provide support in understanding and changing problematic thought patterns and behaviors that drive disordered eating. Group therapy can also be a powerful tool in overcoming eating disorders because it provides a place to be supported and encouraged by others struggling with similar challenges.
Medication
Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can help alleviate painful emotional symptoms contributing to disordered eating patterns
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
TMS therapy is an FDA-approved depression treatment. TMS can help with mood-related symptoms underlying disordered eating patterns, particularly when medications have not been effective.
The Impact of Eating Disorder Treatment
With the right program of care, individuals experiencing disordered eating can make significant strides toward recovery, such as increasing self-esteem and stabilizing weight. Benefits of our eating disorders services can include:
- Improved physical health
- More balanced eating habits
- Increased awareness of anorexic harmful behavior and thoughts
- Improved body image
- Greater ability to manage anxiety or fear related to food, body image, and appearance
- Improved relationships with family and friends
Contact Columbia Mental Health for Eating Disorder Treatment in Maryland and Virginia
At Columbia Mental Health, we are dedicated to helping people in our communities access life-changing mental health care. If disordered eating impacts your life, we can provide the treatment services that are right for you. Call us today at 703.682.8208 to learn more about our eating disorder treatment center.