The Challenge for Eating Disorder Therapists |
According to the National Eating Disorder Association, as many as 10 million females and one million males in the United States today are battling an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Millions more are struggling with a binge eating disorder. Without any precise means of measurement, there is no accurate data on the number of annual deaths these illnesses cause, but experienced eating disorder therapists will tell you that the mortality rate is among the highest of any known mental illness. Couple this with the fact that most health insurance policies fail to cover even a fraction of the total cost of treating these illnesses and you can begin to understand the enormous challenge that eating disorder therapists face every day. |
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Diagnosing an Eating Disorder |
In my experience, the majority of my female patients - with or without an actual diagnosed eating disorder - engage in a routine obsession about food intake and weight gain. Eating disorder therapists agree that though this sort of everyday obsession can have harmful effects on mental and physical health, it is only when the issue becomes extreme that specific treatment for eating disorders is necessary. Fortunately, these illnesses are accompanied by some very telltale signs and symptoms that don't necessarily require the trained eyes of eating disorder therapists to recognize. Signs to watch for include:
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My Approach |
Like many therapists, I advocate a comprehensive approach to the treatment of eating disorders. For my patients, recovery involves a multi-disciplinary treatment plan with an entire medical team of consulting specialists and therapists, including a nutritionist and a primary care physician. Please contact me to discuss individual treatment options. |