What is an eating disorder?
Eating disorders – including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and others – are dangerous and potentially life-threatening illnesses that manifest in serious emotional and physical ways. All of these disorders feature disturbances in eating patterns and and thought patterns surrounding food and/or body. They often begin quietly, the individual eating a little differently, but can spiral into severe restriction and/or binge eating coupled with other behaviors such as purging, frequent self-weighing, inappropriate use of laxatives or diuretics, or compulsive exercise. Individuals with eating disorders often feel much shame about their behaviors and feel misunderstood by family and friends, but their illnesses are real and recovery is possible with the help of understanding professionals.
Treatment generally involves normalization of eating patterns and replacing the maladaptive behaviors with more adaptive coping skills with the help of a dietitian (that’s me!), therapist, and psychiatrist. There are instances in which an eating disorder is too severe to treat on an outpatient basis and an individual may require a higher, more intensive level of care.
How would a dietitian help me with my eating disorder?
A dietitian is a key person in any eating disorder treatment team. Eating disorders are food and body-related illnesses, so having a food and body professional in your circle is vital! A dietitian will help you heal your relationship with food by establishing a structured meal plan that is nutritionally appropriate and balanced, adjusting this plan as your needs change, helping you plan appropriate meals and snacks, monitoring your weight trends (if needed), honoring your natural body weight, and helping you identify and challenge your fears, rules, and rituals around food.
What is your experience with eating disorders?
I have been working nearly exclusively with individuals struggling with eating disorders since early 2014 at a treatment center in St. Louis, Missouri. In this setting, I have worked with individuals of all genders from ages 10-65 in a variety of levels of care (residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient). I also specialize in working with athletes who are struggling with eating disorders and understand the unique challenges and benefits that participation in competitive sports can bring to the recovery process. I am passionate about helping sufferers heal unbalanced relationships with food and exercise through proper nourishment, identification of distorted food beliefs, assisted food challenges, and restructuring of routines. I would love to come alongside you and partner with you in your journey toward recovery. Contact me to set up an appointment!
Resources:
National Eating Disorders Association
Free online eating disorder screening tool from the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
FEAST: Support for families supporting loved ones with eating disorders