Eating Disorders

An eating disorder alters your eating habits and often your perception of yourself. At Alicia MHS in Catonsville, Maryland, Alicia Scott-Darden, PMHNP-BC, provides evaluations and treatment for many types of eating disorders that can threaten your physical health. Call the office for treatment options or book your appointment online today.

What are eating disorders ?

Eating disorders are mental health conditions that affect your relationship with food. As a result, your nutrition can suffer, your weight can fluctuate to dangerous degrees, and you might experience mood or self-esteem issues associated with your eating habits.

Contrary to what you might think, eating disorders are not simply alternative eating habits you adopt by choice. The behaviors associated with them are often driven by a preoccupation with your body’s shape or features. Even if you’re at a healthy weight, you might visualize yourself as being over- or underweight.

What are some of the most common eating disorders?

There are multiple eating disorders that Alicia MHS can diagnose and help you manage over time. Three of the most prevalent eating disorders are:

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a condition that drives you to limit your eating to very little or none at all. People with anorexia often weigh themselves constantly and see themselves as being overweight even if they’re underweight.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa involves episodes of excessive eating with a lack of control over when to stop. This behavior is then followed by some other unhealthy behavior to “undo” the eating such as vomiting, excessive exercise, fasting, or taking laxatives.

Binge-eating disorder

Binge-eating disorder involves episodes of binging where you eat unusually large amounts of food. Unlike bulimia, you don’t engage in any contradictory behaviors afterward. Many people with binge-eating disorder are overweight or obese.

How can I manage an eating disorder ?

Managing any eating disorder is possible with personalized mental health care. Alicia MHS provides a detailed evaluation to confirm your diagnosis and talks to you extensively about your lifestyle. Your treatment plan might involve:

Supportive therapy

Supportive therapy sessions last for 30-60 minutes and can help you analyze and alter your behaviors around eating.

Medications

Certain medications like antidepressants and mood stabilizers can help with the mental symptoms that often come with an eating disorder or any co-occurring diagnoses.

For more information about eating disorders and what you can do to regulate your relationship with food, call Alicia MHS or book your appointment online today.

For more information about eating disorders and what you can do to regulate your relationship with food, call Alicia MHS or book your appointment online today.