What are they?

An eating disorder is the behavior of controlling food intake while using self-induced vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, and/or diet pills and laxatives to control weight. Individuals suffering from an eating disorder typically worry excessively about food and weight. The two most common types of eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa, a form of self-starvation, and Bulimia Nervosa, where an individual binges (overeats to an extreme) and then purges. For more detailed information on either of these two disorders, please select those specific topics in the InformationCenter list box.

What causes them?

While the exact cause is unknown, many individuals suffering from eating disorders have internalized the “thin ideal” from, among a host of possible factors, media, athletic activities (e.g. ballet, running, etc.), or a prior experience with a loved one and/or another significant person in which their weight and/or size was questioned. Further study is under way.

How do you know when someone has an eating disorder?

An individual that suffers from Anorexia will have some of the following symptoms:

1. Refuses to keep body weight at the minimum for their age and height
2. Shows strong fear of gaining weight or getting fat
3. Exhibits a significant disturbance in the perception of the shape or size of his or her body
4. If female, will miss at least three consecutive menstrual periods

Other symptoms may include:

1. Restricting food or liquids
2. Binge-eating
3. Self-induced vomiting
4. Too much exercise
5. Laxative, Ipecac, water pill, diet pill, or enema abuse
6. Appetite loss
7. Low body temperature, heart rate, or blood pressure
8. Swelling
9. Constipation
10. Intolerance of cold

An individual that suffers from Bulimia will have some of the following symptoms:

• Frequent binges (eating lots of food in a short period of time)
• Lack of control over eating
• Self-induced vomiting
• Pathological use of dieting, fasting or exercise in order to prevent weight gain
• Judging oneself primarily by the shape and/or weight of the body

Additional symptoms may include the following:

• Dramatic reduction of food or liquids
• Use of water pills or laxatives
• Abuse of Ipecac or enemas (purging)
• Appetite loss
• Gaining or losing 10 or more pounds
• Menstrual problems
• Severe tooth decay
• Loss of hair
• Regular sore throats

A number of these symptoms can be life threatening. Often, suffers are preoccupied with food and many will withdraw socially.

What can happen to people with an eating disorder?

Eating disorders are very serious. While the outcome will vary widely depending on the individual and their condition, people suffering from an eating disorder can become very ill. Thousands die annually from eating disorders as their bodies suffer the affects of starvation. For more specific information on Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa, select those topics from the InformationCenter list box.

How do you help a loved one suffering from an eating disorder?

Treatment will generally consist of psychotherapy, emotional support, nutritional counseling, and medications. The probability of obtaining a successful outcome is higher if the eating disorder is identified early and the person begins to get help. Success factors in the effectiveness of treatment are the person’s willingness to cooperate, the family support structure, and the quality of treatment provided.

How CERTS helps those with an eating disorder

CERTS therapists have experience in successfully treated individuals with eating disorders like Anorexia and Bulimia. This success results from the CERTS formula of balancing outstanding clinical therapy, experiential therapy, and education, both nutritional and academic, while providing appropriate medical care.

Adolescents receive regular therapy from therapists with experience in working with eating disorders. Experiential therapy programs (such as equine therapy) offered at the facilities have also proven helpful. A fun and challenging academic education enhances self-esteem and encourages students to rediscover the joy of learning while they clinically stabilize. To learn more about which CERTS program can best offer the help you may require, please contact a CERTS admissions counselor at 801-755-8802.

Learn More About Eating Disorders

American Psychiatric Association
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Family Physicians