Good food is one of the joys of life. But not for everyone. Disordered eating impacts millions of people across the United States. Eating disorders consist of abnormal and unhealthy eating habits and attitudes. In many cases, these disorders can become life-threatening and require disordered eating treatment.

The signs of disordered eating can be hard to recognize, triggering feelings of shame. Knowing the signs of disordered eating is vital to get your loved one the help they need. To learn more about our disordered eating treatment programs, contact Foothills at Red Oak today at 866.300.5275.

What Is Disordered Eating?

Disordered eating is the central element of diagnosable eating disorders. They are considered a serious but treatable condition with both emotional and physiological consequences.

Researchers don’t know for sure yet what exactly causes disordered eating, though they know of several risk factors. Genetics most certainly plays a role, as do certain environmental or biological factors.

The word “eating disorder” is an umbrella term for a range of related illnesses, including:

• Anorexia nervosa characterized by an overemphasis on weight issues
• Bulimia nervosa involves periods of extreme overeating followed by efforts to then “purge” the body of the food through vomiting.
• Binge eating disorder, where a person eats an overwhelming amount and then later experiences intense guilt or shame

However, eating disorders are not the same as disordered eating. Disordered eating is a condition where you have some symptoms of irregular eating behaviors. However, it does not warrant a diagnosis of an eating disorder.

5 Signs of Disordered Eating in Adolescents

Disordered eating can appear in a range of ways, but they all revolve around a distorted relationship with food. The most important signs to watch for that indicate disordered eating include:

• Secreting food, such as hiding empty food containers or wrappers
• Being obsessively concerned or focused on food, such as by counting calories or making comments about weight and or “feeling fat”
• Making eating into a stress relief mechanism
• Difficulty sleeping, fainting, stomach cramps, frequent dieting, and other physical symptoms
• Overuse of laxatives or diuretics designed to lose weight

In addition, you might find yourself eating things that aren’t food, which can make you very sick. The presence of just one of these disordered eating symptoms may not be a cause for concern. If you are struggling with several, however, consider seeking disordered eating treatment.

Getting Help for Disordered Eating

Treatment for eating disorders closely resembles that for substance abuse. It relies heavily on counseling sessions with experienced therapists who can help reshape attitudes and behaviors toward eating and food.

Disordered eating treatment can range from mild, involving outpatient treatment, to severe, requiring inpatient stays at hospitals with medical monitoring. It can also lead to problems with substance abuse.

Over time, a person struggling with an eating disorder may utilize various types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Take full advantage of the resources that are right for you.

Disordered Eating Treatment at Foothills at Red Oak

Disordered eating is a widespread condition that has severe consequences for many — including death. While eating disorders affect all ages, they are particularly acute for adolescents. If you have a loved one showing disordered eating symptoms, make Foothills at Red Oak your treatment partner. Our treatment staff, with years of experience in addiction medicine, focuses on the problems of boys between the ages of 14 to 17. We offer a range of therapeutic options to provide healing from substance abuse and disordered eating. Our therapy options include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Adventure therapy

Our team provides help for substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, gaming addictions, disordered eating, and other mental health conditions. We rely on evidence-based medicine to help your young person reclaim their happiness and the promise of the future. Contact Foothills at Red Oak at 866.300.5275 today for a caring, comprehensive consultation.