Eating Problems

Eating disorders are serious emotional conditions that involve extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviours surrounding food, exercise, and body image. Eating Disorders can manifest as overweight or underweight.

Are there different types of eating disorders?

The three most common types of Eating Disorders are:

• Anorexia Nervosa-The person suffering from anorexia nervosa will have an obsessive fear of gaining weight, refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an unrealistic perception of body image. They will limit the quantity of food they consume and view themselves as overweight, even when they are clearly underweight. Anorexia can lead to brain damage, multi-organ failure, bone loss, heart difficulties, and infertility.
• Bulimia Nervosa- The Person suffering from Bulimia may fear weight gain and feel unhappy with their body size and shape This disorder is characterized by repeated binge eating followed by behaviours that compensate for their overeating e.g. forced vomiting, excessive exercise, or extreme use of laxatives or diuretics. Bulimia can lead to gastrointestinal problems, severe hydration, and heart difficulties caused by electrolyte imbalance.
• Binge Eating Disorder- The Person suffering from Binge Eating Disorder will frequently lose control over their eating. Most people suffering from BED may be obese and are an increased risk of developing other conditions, such as heart disease, Diabetes etc. They may also experience intense feelings of guilt, distress, and embarrassment related to their binge eating which influences the further progression of the eating disorder.

Eating disorders can develop during any stage in life but typically appear during the teen years or young adulthood. Classified as a medical illness, appropriate treatment can be highly effectual for many of the specific types of eating disorders. Eating disorder treatment will be tailored to the type of disorder and the individual needs of the patient.

Although these conditions are treatable, the symptoms and consequences can be detrimental if not addressed adequately and appropriately. Eating disorders commonly coexist with other conditions, such as anxiety disorders, substance abuse, or depression

Dr Balu’s Approach to Eating Disorder Treatment

Eating Disorder can be a symptom of something deeper happening with your emotions. You may be controlling food habits when you have lost control over something else in your life. Food restriction or excessive food consumption can be comforting. Sometimes you feel stuck and confused and nobody around you understand. Talking to Dr Balu about the way you feel and how it is affecting your eating patterns will enable you to get the eating disorder treatment or other support that you need.

If you are diagnosed with anorexia, bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder or other food related problems then your eating disorder treatment may include:

• One to one therapy sessions with Dr Balu to discuss your emotions and attitudes to food, possible triggers, and what you can do to help yourself
• Support with your diet and changing your eating habits
• Treatments such as CBT to provide tools for managing your emotions and changing your behaviour
• Treatment for any coexisting mental or physical conditions

Call Dr Balu now to talk about how you can take control of your life and let the eating behaviour take care of itself. Eating disorder treatment at the Emotional Wellness Clinic can enable you to improve your mental and physical health so that you can lead a rich and fulfilling life.