Anorexia

Anorexia Nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation, excessive weight loss (dangerously low weight), fear of gaining weight, a strong desire to be thin, and food restriction. Many people with anorexia see themselves as overweight even though they are in fact underweight. Often they will eat only small amounts and only eat certain foods. Some will exercise excessively or engage in other compensatory behaviors to “get rid of calories.” Feelings of poor body image and perfectionism are often one of the symptoms that accompany eating disorders. The drive to control, be perfect, make situations perfect, or make the body perfect can fuel the eating disorder. Perfectionism can contribute to food rules, exercise rules, as well as rules for the body. These rules are often unrealistic and as a result they are difficult to adhere to. The feelings of failure then fuel and strengthen the eating disorder. Our eating disorder treatment team has expertise in treating individuals with all types of eating disorders. Therapists can offer both individual and group therapy to help you process and recognize behaviors/cognitive distortions relating to your eating disorder.