Understanding and Managing Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can affect both mental and physical health and may involve complex thoughts, emotions, and behaviors surrounding food, eating, weight, or body image. Psychiatric care can be an important part of understanding these concerns and developing an appropriate treatment plan.

What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions involving significant disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts or emotions. Different eating disorders can present in different ways, and a person's appearance alone does not determine whether they may be struggling with one.

Understanding Eating Disorders

Common Symptoms

Common symptoms may include:

01
Significant restriction of food intake
02
Episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food
03
Feeling unable to control eating during certain episodes
04
Recurrent behaviors intended to compensate for eating
05
Intense concern about weight, shape, or food
06
Frequent dieting or rigid food rules
07
Eating in secret
08
Feelings of guilt, shame, or distress related to eating
09
Excessive exercise
10
Changes in mood, concentration, or social behavior surrounding food

Our Approach

We approach eating-related concerns with respect, compassion, and without judgment. We take time to understand your symptoms, mental health history, current concerns, and any co-occurring conditions that may be affecting your well-being. Because eating disorders can involve both mental and physical health needs, appropriate care may also involve collaboration with other members of your healthcare team. We work with you to determine your psychiatric needs and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your overall care.