Eating disorder therapy is a specialized approach aimed at assisting those who are grappling with a range of eating disorders. These disorders are significant mental health conditions characterized by irregular or unhealthy eating patterns and an intense focus on body weight and shape. Common conditions addressed in Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
Eating Disorders—Counseling in Toms River, NJ (Ocean County)
Our eating disorder therapists want to make it abundantly clear: struggling with an eating disorder is never a result of being weak, confused, or obsessed. An eating disorder is not a reflection of who you are or what your future will be. It’s a mixture of societal pressures, coping mechanisms, and unhealthy thinking patterns. Counseling with Toms River can help you cope with the first one and change the second two.
You might be fighting an eating disorder, but it is still only one part of you. You are not your eating disorder. Thriveworks in Toms River, NJ wants to help strengthen the parts of you that you love so together we can take your life back from eating disorders. For more information or to schedule an appointment today, give us a call at 732-852-4977.
What Is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are a nuanced and multifaceted mental health problem that will look differently for everyone. They exist on a spectrum- there is no such thing as being “bad enough” to reach out to a counselor for an eating disorder. It’s easy to think “well someone else has it worse!” This a lie eating disorders will tell you that will stop you from getting the help you deserve!
If you are struggling with eating habits, food, weight, calories, body image, or emotional eating, it’s always worth reaching out. It could help save you a lot of pain and heartache further down the road. Thriveworks Counseling in Toms River, NJ will meet you where you’re at, no judgement.
Symptoms of Common Eating Disorders
Symptoms of Anorexia
- Underweight (BMI less than 18)
- Dramatic weight loss
- Restricting food
- Counting calories
- Unusual amounts of exercise
- A lot of thoughts focused on food, weight, or body shape
- Strong desires for a different size/shape
- Wearing baggy clothes to hide weight loss or body shape
Symptoms of Bulimia
Bulimia is comprised of two parts:
- The binge: an uncontrolled consumption of an unusually large amounts of food. It usually involved shame, fear of gaining weight, and guilt, yet feels impossible to stop. It is the catalyst for the later purge.
- The purge: any activity that is aimed at disposing of calories. Common examples are forced vomiting, diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting.
Some signs of bulimia include:
- Having a binge episode (eating excessive amounts of food when the situation does not call for it, feeling out of control or like you can’t stop while eating.)
- Trying to counteract the binge by purging (vomiting, exercise, fasting, etc.)
- Being preoccupied with shape and body image, feeling shame or a desire to change
- Weight fluctuations
- Dehydration or other vitamin imbalances
Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
If you think you or a loved one is struggling with binge eating disorder, look for these symptoms:
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Disgusted at yourself, your habits, or your body
- Binge eating, oftentimes alone where no one can see you eat
- Feeling out of control when eating
- Embarrassed about eating patterns
- Continuously eating even after full (to the point of pain)
- Feeling a lack of emotions when eating
- Feeling like eating is the only way you can cope with high emotions
Schedule an Appointment with Toms River Eating Disorder Counseling Today
The isolation, confusion, and health problems that come with eating disorders is something no one deserves to go through. Health and healing are possible. The strength it has just to read this and think about reaching out is incredible. To get more information or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 732-852-4977. We offer benefits for your utmost convenience including evening and weekend sessions, and accepting most major insurances.
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