Eating disorders are defined as “serious medical illnesses marked by severe disturbances to a person’s eating behavior,” and are characterized by abnormal, irregular eating habits, and an extreme concern with one’s body weight or shape. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) lists different types of eating disorders that are respectively categorized under the Disorder Class: Feeding and Eating Disorders. The three most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder (BED). According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), an estimated 30 million U.S. adults will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives. The New York Times notes that early identification and intervention play a key role in treatment outcome and long-term recovery. Eating disorders are chronic mental health conditions that require professional, long-term treatment. The best way to help someone with an eating disorder is to be able to recognize its warning signs and ultimately encourage them to pursue treatment.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available for individuals struggling with eating disorders. Every person is different and will respond distinctly to the various eating disorder treatment methods. Therefore, a customized treatment plan will be developed that is specifically individualized to ensure all nuanced needs are met. The treatment plan for an individual diagnosed with an eating disorder will be directly informed by several contributing factors, such as: one’s exact diagnosis, how long she has been actively engaging in unhealthy eating habits, her personal health history, and the presence of any co-morbid disorders. Depending on the needs of the individual, an eating disorder treatment plan could include any combination of the following:
- Psychotherapy: Integrating one or more therapeutic intervention (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), expressive arts therapies, etc.) can help an individual break unhealthy behavioral patterns associated with her eating disorder.
- Medications:
- Anorexia nervosa: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve any medication specifically for the treatment of anorexia nervosa.
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- Bulimia nervosa: The only medication that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of bulimia nervosa is the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) known as Prozac (generically: fluoxetine).
- Binge-eating disorder: The first medication the FDA approved as treatment from binge-eating disorder is called Vyvanse (generically: lisdexamfetamine). Antidepressants such as SSRIs (e.g., Prozac) may be prescribed to reduce the frequency of binge eating episodes. Anticonvulsant medications, such as Topiramate, may be prescribed to reduce the frequency of bingeing episodes.
- Medical care and/ or medical monitoring: To minimize and mitigate possible medical complications that can arise from eating disorders.
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- Nutritional counseling: To facilitate weight restoration and body-weight management.
The goal of treatment for individuals with an eating disorder is not to get rid of the disorder, as that would be impossible, but rather aims to help them find a healthy and sustainable relationship with food. While eating disorders are life-long conditions, with proper treatment, an individual can learn how to effectively manage its symptoms.
For Information and Support
Substance abuse and addiction can be incredibly dangerous and can result in severe short and long-term consequences. If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse or addiction, please get help as soon as possible. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you and your loved ones can return to leading happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. There is no reason to go through this alone, and we are here to help. Please feel free to reach out to us for further information or with any questions regarding substance abuse or addiction. We are available anytime via telephone at: 213-389-9964, or you can always email us at: info@friendlyhousela.org
