Eating disorders can cause significant pain and medical complications for people who suffer from them. There are a variety of treatments for people who are suffering from an eating disorder.
Dr. Brendel’s Experience with Treatment for Eating Disorders
I treat patients with eating disorders in the Boston Area and help them manage their conditions. As an expert in treating all types of eating disorders, I know I can help you or your loved one. Please contact me today via telephone on (617) 932-1548 or email ForPatients@DrDavidBrendel.com.
People who suffer from eating disorders make significant changes to their eating behaviors – sometimes extreme changes. People who suffer from these conditions can significantly reduce or increase their food intake. They often suffer from very strong feelings of distress, dislike or concern for their body weight or shape. Eating disorders frequently begin in teen or early adult years, but may begin later.
There are three primary types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders are serious but treatable medical illnesses. Eating disorders are often diagnosed in connection with other conditions such as depression and anxiety. You may want to listen to an interview I recently gave on eating disorder treatment to Casey Becker of Mended Wing Counseling in Cambridge, MA.
Symptoms
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms of anorexia nervosa include extremely restricted eating and thinness together with a distorted body image. People with anorexia nervosa may think that they are overweight when they are not. Often people with anorexia nervosa have a self-image that is heavily influenced by perceptions of body weight and shape and have an intense fear of gaining weight.
Anorexia can lead to serious medical complications, including brittle bones, thinning of the hair and skin, mild anemia, and low blood pressure. There are mild, moderate and severe forms of anorexia. Severe forms can result in very serious health problems. Most people with anorexia, however, respond well to treatment.
Bulimia Nervosa
Patients with bulimia combine binge eating with behaviors that compensate for the over-eating. These compensatory behaviors include forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting or excessive exercise.
Bulimia is different from anorexia in that patients usually maintain a relatively normal body weight. People with bulimia can suffer from intensely negative feelings about their body weight or shape. They often fear gaining weight to an extreme. Bulimic behavior is often done in secret because it is usually accompanied by feelings of shame or disgust. The binge eating and purging cycle can happen several times per week to several times per day.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder is diagnosed when a person loses control over his or her eating. Binge eating is not combined with purges as with bulimia. People with bulimia often feel guilt, shame and distress about their eating habits.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available for patients with eating disorders. If you think that you or someone you love may be suffering from an eating disorder, please contact me by email or call (617) 932-1548. Dr. Brendel is also scheduling psychiatry appointments online with ZocDoc.