Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness , but they can be treated. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell whether your child is just trying to be healthier, or if they're on the verge of developing an eating disorder.
Is your son or daughter just dieting and working on their fitness or are they on the verge of an eating disorder?
Take a look at these sobering statistics from the Avalon Foundation for Eating Disorders :
Without treatment, up to 20% of people with serious eating disorders die. With treatment, the mortality rate falls to 2 – 3% .
After all my years of practice, I can tell you there are certain psychological factors and personality traits that may predispose people to developing eating disorders. Many people with eating disorders suffer from low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness, and intense dissatisfaction with the way they look.
Furthermore, specific traits are linked to each of the disorders.
Studies show that people with anorexia tend to be perfectionists, for example. People with bulimia are often impulsive. Physical factors, like genetics, might also play a role in the risk that individuals have.
A wide range of situations can precipitate eating disorders in the individuals who are most susceptible. Family or friends teasing about bodies (body shaming) and participation in gymnastics or other sports that emphasize low weight or a certain body image can be two culprits, for example.
Negative emotions, traumas like rape, abuse, or the death of a loved one can also prompt the development of eating disorders. Even an happy event, like giving birth, can lead to disordered eating because of the stressful impact of a new role and body image.
And once people develop initial abnormal eating behaviors the problem can snowball. Binging can signal the beginning of a dangerous cycle as the person purges food to rid themselves of excess calories and deep-rooted emotional pain. Then, they might binge again to escape problems in their day-to-day lives, and the cycle begins.
Our approach to eating disorder therapy includes personalized treatment plans, individual counseling sessions, nutrition education, and body image work. At Foundations, each client receives educational materials and self-awareness exercises to reinforce new thought and behavior patterns.
Clients see progress as they expand their self-awareness, develop understanding, and work toward healing. We help clients seize the opportunity to become comfortable with a healthy self-image and explore a life free from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, compulsive and emotional eating, and orthorexia nervosa.
Our therapy for treating eating disorders and body image issues includes :
Is your son or daughter headed down a dangerous path? During the free consultation we will work with you and your child to effectively address your concerns and chose the best path for a successful outcome. Let's discuss your concerns .