Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders services offered in Lanham, MD and Washington, DC

If you have an eating disorder, you don’t have to walk the journey alone. The team of professionals at Chivic Healthcare Services in Lanham, Maryland, and Washington, DC, understands the physical, mental, and emotional toll that eating disorders can cause. To experience the team’s compassionate care and superior treatment, call or book an appointment online today.

Eating Disorders Q&A

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders involve a range of psychological conditions defined by abnormal eating habits, distress about body weight or shape, and often a preoccupation with food, weight, and body image.

They commonly develop during adolescence or young adulthood but can occur at any stage of life. Suffering from an eating disorder can significantly impact your physical, mental, and emotional health and become a life-threatening condition if left untreated.

What causes eating disorders?

Several factors can influence the development of eating disorders, including:

Genetics
Certain personality traits
Societal pressures regarding body image
Media portrayal of an idealized body
Family dynamics
Traumatic experiences

Anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may also play a role in triggering an eating disorder.

What are the different types of eating disorders?

The most common eating disorders include:

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia causes you to severely restrict food intake due to an intense fear of gaining weight, leading to extreme weight loss. You may have a distorted body image and engage in excessive exercise or other behaviors to control your weight.

Bulimia nervosa

If you suffer from bulimia, you regularly engage in episodes of binge eating, followed by behaviors like self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise to avoid weight gain.

Binge eating disorder (BED)

BED involves recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food without purging behaviors. With BED, you may experience feelings of distress, guilt, or shame about your eating habits but lack action to change your behavior.

How are eating disorders treated?

The medical team at Chivic Healthcare Services offers evidence-based, patient-centered treatment, which may include psychotherapy, medical monitoring, and nutritional counseling.

In severe cases requiring immediate intervention, hospitalization may be necessary to stabilize your health and ensure your safety.

Turning to family, friends, and support groups can also play a role in the recovery process. Long-term recovery often involves ongoing therapy, support, and lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy relationship with food and body image. Early intervention and comprehensive treatment strategies offer the best chance of recovery from eating disorders.

If you think you might have an eating disorder, reach out to Chivic Healthcare Services today by phone or online.