Eating disorders

Eating disorders are complex conditions involving atypical eating habits and significant concerns about weight and body image. The most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by significant food restrictions, often accompanied by compensatory behaviors such as intense exercise, vomiting, and laxative use. This disorder can affect both your mental health, causing anxiety and isolation, and your physical health, leading to issues like constipation, anemia, osteoporosis, and low blood pressure.

Bulimia

Bulimia combines episodes of overeating, where large quantities of food are consumed rapidly with a loss of control, with compensatory behaviors such as fasting, vomiting, and intense exercise. This can lead to negative emotions and other mental health issues like anxiety or depression. It also affects your physical health, causing dental problems and gastrointestinal issues.

Binge-Eating Disorder

Binge-eating disorder is characterized by episodes of overeating, similar to bulimia, but without compensatory behaviors. This can lead to feelings of guilt and isolation, as well as physical problems like bloating, reflux, and abdominal pain. In the long term, binge eating and the weight gain it may causes can lead to health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, especially when binge episodes involve unhealthy foods.

Other Eating Disorders

Apart from these well-known disorders, there are other eating disorders such as Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), pica, and rumination disorder, which can also be addressed in consultation with your dietitian.

Disordered Eating

Eating disorders are at one end of the spectrum of eating behavior, opposite to intuitive eating. However, as the term “spectrum” implies, a person can fall anywhere in between and may experience challenges related to eating or body image without having a diagnosed eating disorder. Ignoring hunger and fullness cues, having strict food rules, skipping meals, using food to regulate emotions, and experiencing a loss of control or guilt during meals are all signs that one’s relationship with food is affected.

Your Dietitian Can Help

Regardless of where you are in your relationship with food, whether you have mild concerns or a diagnosed eating disorder, remember that you are not alone on this journey. Your dietitian is there to accompany you with compassion throughout your path to healing. With their guidance, you can develop healthy eating habits and a more intuitive approach to eating.

During the assessment, you will explore your diet and your relationship with food in detail, and discuss your symptoms. During your second appointment, you will work together to create an action plan focused on three objectives: correcting any nutritional deficiencies, if present, reducing your symptoms, and improving your relationship with food. At ABC Health Clinic, YOU are the main actor in this healing process, and progress will be made at your own pace with support at every step.