Eating Disorders

Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa cause serious physical health problems in addition to mental health damage. Ndubuisi Odegai, Princess Riley, DNP, and The Healed Mind Psychiatry team in Aubrey, Texas, offer expert treatments for eating disorders based on a comprehensive assessment. If someone in your family develops a harmful relationship with food, the team can help. Call The Healed Mind Psychiatry to access compassionate eating disorder support, or book a telehealth appointment online today.

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders develop from an abnormal relationship with food, becoming serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. In the United States, more people die annually from eating disorders (primarily anorexia nervosa) than any other psychiatric condition.  

Anyone might develop an eating disorder, but women are more likely to have one than men. These disorders most often begin causing problems during the teen years but could develop at any age.

Obsessing about your weight and diet can cause severe mental and physical health issues. Eating disorders aren’t something people bring on themselves. They’re distressing, disruptive illnesses.

What are the most common eating disorders?

Eating disorders that The Healed Mind Psychiatry team often treats include:

Anorexia nervosa

Individuals who have anorexia are sure they’re overweight despite being severely underweight. This belief causes malnutrition and even starvation if patients refuse to eat. As anorexia worsens, patients develop symptoms that might include:

• Constantly feeling cold
• Muscle wastage
• Chronic fatigue
• Dry, discolored skin
• Thinning bones
• Constipation
• Fine hair growth (lanugo)

A physical exam and lab tests reveal underlying symptoms like hypotension (low blood pressure), anemia (lack of iron in the blood), and infertility. Without expert care, anorexia can cause organ failure and death.

Bulimia nervosa

People with bulimia regularly binge (eat large quantities of food) over short periods. Afterward, they feel ashamed and hate themselves, and try to reverse the damage by purging — making themselves vomit and/or taking laxatives to hasten food’s passage through their digestive system. 

Bulimia symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Swollen neck glands
• Tooth decay
• Acid reflux
• Dehydration
• Worn, sensitive teeth
• Digestive problems

Between binges, patients who have bulimia often try to regain control by eating little and exercising excessively.

A third condition, binge-eating disorder, also causes binging but doesn’t involve purging.

How are eating disorders treated?

The Healed Mind Psychiatry team designs a personalized, integrative eating disorder treatment plan for you that might include:

• Medication management
• Individual therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Nutrition counseling
• Interpersonal therapy
• Mindfulness-based therapy
• Person-centered therapy
• Positive psychology
• Psychoeducation and support
• Pharmacogenomics testing
• Spravato® esketamine nasal spray

Some eating disorder patients benefit from medication combined with therapy for optimal results. The Healed Mind Psychiatry team works with other health care providers to ensure you receive the best possible care.

Contact The Healed Mind Psychiatry today by phone or online for expert eating disorder diagnosis and treatment.