Eating Disorder

Bowman Medical Group

Psychiatrists & Mental Health Providers located in Beverly Hills, CA

Roughly 20 million women and 10 million men in the United States suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives. If you or someone you love struggles with poor self-esteem linked to body weight, a distorted body image, restrictive dieting, or bingeing and purging behaviors, the compassionate team at Bowman Medical Group can help. The team provides treatment for a variety of eating disorders to help regain control over your relationship with food and protect your physical and emotional health. To schedule an evaluation with a mental health professional, call the Beverly Hills, California, office today.

Eating Disorder Q & A

What is an eating disorder?

Eating disorders affect your relationship with your body, your emotions, and food. These disorders can cause ongoing negative eating behaviors that impact your daily life and may harm your physical and mental health. 

Eating disorders typically develop during the teens or early 20s, but they can occur at any age. Teenage girls and young women have the highest risk for eating disorders, but they affect boys and men, as well.

What are the symptoms of an eating disorder?

Different types of eating disorders cause various signs and symptoms. The most common types of eating disorders include:

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia is a potentially life-threatening disorder that centers around an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. It involves a distorted perception of being overweight, although many patients are significantly underweight.

Signs and symptoms of anorexia include:

  • Highly restricted eating patterns
  • Body weight profoundly affects your self-esteem 
  • Constant, intrusive thoughts about food
  • Difficulty eating in public

Anorexia may result in self-starvation, which can lead to electrolyte imbalance, cardiovascular problems, and other severe complications.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa involves repeated acts of binge eating and can be followed by purging, exercise, or fasting. 

When you have bulimia, you eat past the point when you’re full, then engage in self-induced vomiting, extreme fasting, misuse of laxatives, or excessive exercise to eliminate the extra calories consumed during the binge.

Additional signs and symptoms of bulimia include:

  • Feeling unable to control your eating
  • Body weight significantly affects your self-esteem
  • Intense fear of gaining weight

Bulimia can cause throat problems, erosion of tooth enamel, acid reflux, and nutritional deficiencies, and may increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder involves episodes of rapid, extreme overeating. Unlike bulimia, however, this disorder doesn’t include purging behaviors. 

Binge eating disorder increases your risk of being overweight or obese and therefore increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

How are eating disorders treated?

To help you regain control over your eating and address the complexities involved in an eating disorder, the caring providers at Bowman Medical Group design a personalized care plan, which may include:

  • Psychotherapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) 
  • Family-based therapy 
  • Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications

Your provider also designs a wellness program to help you make lifestyle changes that improve your eating habits, regulate mood, and promote a healthy body image. 

If you or a family member struggles with an eating disorder, call Bowman Medical Group today to schedule an evaluation.