Around the country, millions of girls and women are battling an eating disorder. It is imperative that you get treatment as soon as possible if you struggle with this condition. The likelihood of a long-term recovery goes up significantly if you detect and address it early. While you may not always recognize the signs of an eating disorder, the longer the condition lingers, the worse it becomes. As such, assistance from a women’s only eating disorder treatment center is vital. For information on our eating disorder treatment programs, contact Crossroads Maine at 877.978.1667 today.
What is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is a mental illness that has both physical and psychological consequences for an individual’s overall health. In some cases, this disruption may occur when you eat too much or too little. Alternatively, a person may become obsessed with their body image and weight, or have an unhealthy relationship with good. This condition is also often linked with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, substance use, or PTSD. As such, our treatment program offers dual diagnosis treatment for any conditions related to your eating disorder.
There are a large number of eating disorders, including:
The symptoms of an eating disorder are unique for each person. That said, certain similarities exist, regardless of what type of eating disorder you’re battling or how severe your condition is.
Signs of an Eating Disorder
A person battling an eating disorder usually is obsessed with food, so much so that it changes each aspect of their life. Their loved ones may notice differences in their behavior, appearance, routine, friends, and how they interact with food. As their condition gets more severe, they may also struggle with health problems and physical symptoms, such as:
Unhealthy Attitude About Their Weight
Because of the person’s unhealthy obsession with their body and weight, they may try to do everything they can to control their weight. They may try to lose as many pounds as possible and shape their body into the image they desire. In other cases, a person with a binge eating disorder may try to rationalize why they’re gaining weight. However, in both circumstances, their weight is their primary focus.
Unhealthy Approach to Eating
If your loved one is battling anorexia, they may demand that they’re in charge of doing the grocery shopping, cooking the household meals, and determining what food is allowed near them. They may also be carefully counting carbs, calories, or fat grams to determine how much food they can eat. Furthermore, they will not accept food that they haven’t assessed beforehand.
In the case of binge eating, your loved one will eat excessive amounts of food for long periods of time, even if they feel full or even sick.
Uncomfortable Eating Around Other People
If your loved one is battling an eating disorder, they probably will feel uncomfortable eating around other people. They might be ashamed of their actions and behavior, or not want other people to hold them accountable for their actions. As a result, people who struggle with a binge eating disorder may hide their food in certain spots, so no one will know when they’re eating.
Emotional Instability
More signs of eating disorders include being uncharacteristically defensive if someone asks them about their condition. In addition, they may experience severe mood swings.
Get Help at Crossroads Maine Today
At Crossroads Maine, we know what a challenge an eating disorder can be. However, with our treatment programs, we can help you get on the path to recovery. Our women’s only treatment center is available to women from every walk of life. Whether you’re a mother with small children, a capable businesswoman, or a college student, we have a treatment program for you. To learn more about our recovery programs, contact us at 877.978.1667 today.
