What are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are complex mental and medical illnesses that are influenced by genetics, environment, biology, and social factors. They involve persistent changes in eating behaviors and related distressing thoughts and emotions. Eating disorders can occur in any age and in any gender and early intervention is important; however, it is never too late to seek treatment.

What are the different Eating Disorder presentations?

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) involves restricting food intake to an extent that leads to a significantly low body weight relative to age, gender, developmental stage, and overall health. Individuals may experience poor or distorted body image or an intense fear of gaining weight.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) involves episodes of binge eating, which involves consuming a large amount of food in a short period of time, often feeling a loss of control during the episode. It is typically accompanied by a sense of distress or guilt afterward.

Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is characterized by episodes of binge eating and compensatory behaviors. Compensatory behaviors may include self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, and/or compulsive exercise.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is characterized by a persistent avoidance or restriction of food intake, which leads to significant weight loss, nutritional deficiency, dependence on nutritional supplements, and/or interference with psychosocial functioning. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not driven by concerns about body shape or weight, rather there is food avoidance due to sensory concerns, anxiety around eating, fears (choking, vomiting, etc.), and/or a general lack of interest in eating.

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) is a diagnosis used for individuals who present with disordered eating patterns that do not fully meet the criteria for specific eating disorders. However, the distress and impairment caused by these diagnoses are still significant. Examples include, atypical anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder of low frequency and/or limited duration, purging disorder, and night eating syndrome.

What does treatment for Eating Disorders look like?

Outpatient services for an eating disorder are generally more flexible and accessible than an inpatient treatment option, such that there is typically less interference with work or school. Treatment for eating disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach. Our eating disorder specialists coordinate care with your pediatrician or primary care physician, as well as any other providers that are part of your treatment team.

Our approach supports each client’s unique set of treatment needs and is informed by evidence-based practices. We offer several outpatient treatments at BASE that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of eating disorders, including:

Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E)

CBT-E is an individualized outpatient treatment that is effective for all eating disorder diagnoses. Treatment works on understanding and challenging what maintains eating disorders such as body image, difficult thoughts and emotions, and unhelpful behaviors. Additionally, this treatment focuses on expanding life beyond the eating disorder.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR)

CBT-AR focuses on the treatment of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and helps both children and adults increase opportunities to experience novel foods and reduce negative feelings/predictions about eating.

Family-Based Treatment (FBT or the Maudsley Method)

FBT is the gold standard treatment for adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa. It involves weekly family sessions focused on renourishment and later on addressing the social and emotional consequences of anorexia.

We also integrate acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) approaches based on clinical need. ACT has been shown to be particularly useful when addressing body image distress and dissatisfaction.

Importantly, our providers offer a 15-30 minute meet and greet phone call to determine fit for our outpatient therapy services. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about what treatment involves and for the provider to determine if this is the appropriate level of care before scheduling an intake appointment.

Facing an eating disorder in either yourself or a loved one can be incredibly overwhelming and difficult. BASE providers are here to guide you through the process of treatment and recovery.