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It’s difficult to answer the question, "What are the signs of an eating disorder?” as they can vary from person to person. 

People living with eating disorders often don't display apparent symptoms initially. Indicators start with small behavioral changes that don’t seem like a big deal. As the disease progresses, habits escalate and become more emotionally and physically detrimental. 

Recognizing that you or someone you love might have an eating disorder can be overwhelming, especially if you miss initial indicators. Identifying early signs can be the first step towards getting help and developing a healthier relationship with food. 

Our outline of early signs of eating disorders lets you know some specific symptoms aligned with different eating disorders.

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions manifesting through behavioral, emotional, and physical signs. 

Early recognition of the signs of an eating disorder early can significantly improve recovery outcomes. 

The First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (FREED) model resulted in clinical improvements in 53.2% of young adults with anorexia nervosa versus the 17.9% “Treatment as Usual” model. 

If you or someone you love presents a troubling combination of the outlined symptoms, seek help as soon as possible. It’s the best chance for long-term recovery and management. 

People with anorexia nervosa have an overwhelming fear of weight gain, resulting in extreme food restrictions. This disorder can result in dangerous weight loss if left untreated.

The behavioral signs include:

• Persistent dieting or fasting
• Obsessing over calorie or fat content
• Avoiding social events that involve food
• Cooking elaborate meals for others while refusing to eat themselves

The emotional signs include:

• Constant dissatisfaction with their body, regardless of actual weight
• Intense fear of gaining weighty
• Mood swings and irritability
• Feelings of worthlessness or lack of control

The physical signs include:

• Dramatic weight loss in a short period
• Intense fatigue and dizzy spells
• Thinning or breaking hair or nails
• An irregular menstrual cycle in females

Bulimia manifests as repeated cycles of overeating or “binging,” followed by “purging” behaviors to counteract the binge. Purging behaviors might include vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. 

The behavioral signs of bulimia include:

• Eating large amounts of food, particularly junk food, in a short period
• Often going to the bathroom immediately after eating
• Exercising to the point of exhaustion

The emotional signs of bulimia include:

• Feeling out of control during binging episodes
• Intense guilt and shame after eating
• Fear of gaining weight
• Low self-esteem

The physical signs of bulimia include:

• Weight fluctuations
• Swollen cheeks or jaws
• Yellowed or painful teeth
• Dehydration

Binge eating disorder (BED) is similar to bulimia in that it involves episodes of eating large amounts of food, but there is no purging phase after the binge. People with BED often eat very quickly, often to the point of physical discomfort. 

The behavioral signs of BED include:

• Eating even when not hungry
• Hiding food and eating in secret
• Frequent dieting, but often without weight loss

The emotional signs of BED include:

• Feeling distressed, ashamed, and guilty after a binge episode
• Having low self-esteem, particularly about eating habits and body image
• Wanting control and perfection in other areas of life to counteract the out-of-control feelings during a binge

The physical signs of BED include:

• Fluctuating weight but tending toward weight gain
• Stomach cramps 

While we hope you found this information insightful, understand that every individual’s experience can present differently. Seeking treatment early is possible if you know the signs of an eating disorder. 

Do not rely on this list as a diagnostic tool or substitute for professional medical advice. Only a qualified expert can provide a comprehensive assessment and guide you toward the most appropriate intervention. 

If you are experiencing any emotional or medical disorders, seek help as soon as possible to start your journey to recovery to a happier, healthier you.

Although 28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime, it is often an isolating and overwhelming experience. 

Fortunately, there is help from experienced professionals who can help you overcome the struggle and develop a healthier relationship with food. 

Should you see a psychologist for an eating disorder? We’ll answer that in today’s article.

​An eating disorder is a severe mental health condition characterized by abnormal eating habits that negatively impact one’s psychological and physical health. 

They can range from extreme food restrictions to overeating and come with accompanying emotional turmoil, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. 

​While this list doesn’t encompass all the various ways eating disorders might manifest, it covers the most commonly diagnosed types.

​Those with anorexia nervosa undergo extreme food restrictions due to their intense and overwhelming fear of gaining weight. They often have a distorted body image, perceiving themselves as overweight even if they are dangerously underweight. 

Bulimia nervosa presents as episodes of binge eating or consuming what the person believes are large amounts of food over a short period. They follow binges with purging behaviors, such as vomiting, laxative use, or exercising, to prevent weight gain. ​

​When someone has BED, they tend to compulsively eat abnormally large amounts of food in short periods, past the point of feeling full. However, people with BED don’t purge after the binge, which can lead to rapid weight gain. 

The first step in eating disorder treatment is getting an accurate diagnosis. Professionals use physical examinations, blood tests, and psychological evaluations to pinpoint specific disorders while eliminating other health issues that might have overlapping symptoms. 

Once diagnosed, you can expect individualized therapy tailored to your disorder and coexisting conditions. 

One of the most effective approaches for many is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which targets harmful thought patterns or behaviors and replaces them with logical, problem-solving strategies. However, you may require an alternative treatment model, like interpersonal psychotherapy or family-based treatment. 

You may require long-term treatment after addressing the root of your eating disorder and developing strategies to overcome the behaviors. As you progress towards a healthier relationship with food, ongoing counseling supports you as you overcome post-recovery challenges while preventing possible relapse. 

Beyond the apparent impacts of not providing your body with appropriate nutrients through a balanced diet that meets your caloric needs, eating disorders can profoundly interfere with your everyday life and lead to medical emergencies without treatment. 

First, there are serious physical health implications. A prolonged eating disorder can lead to complications like heart problems, decreased bone density, and, in severe cases, organ failure. Early intervention can prevent these extreme outcomes and guide you to a healthier life. 

Unchecked eating disorders can also amplify your anxiety and depression, impacting your ability to navigate everyday life and participate in social interactions. Treatment equips you with tools and strategies to reclaim control over food’s hold on your mental health and regain your sense of normalcy. 

We cannot stress that professional support is encouraged and needed! Overcoming a severe mental illness like an eating disorder can feel isolating, but you're not alone with your struggles, especially at Elevate Rockwall.

Our team of therapists will give you the highest-quality counseling services in a positive, professional atmosphere that respects your struggle and prioritizes your recovery. 

You deserve freedom from your eating disorder. You can begin by contacting us right here at Elevate Rockwall today to get started.

​Your thoughts, feelings, actions, and interactions determine your psychological, emotional, behavioral, and social well-being. Yet you might not know how disordered cognition and poorly managed emotions affect your relationships. Instead, you might feel dissatisfied, anxious, and exhausted, yet not know why. Mental health therapy can help navigate this mental confusion. What’s more, it can treat depression, improve relationship challenges, and it soothes the symptoms of excessive sadness, anger, or guilt. 

In this article, we will explore why is therapy important for mental health, the benefits of attending therapy, and share tips on finding the right therapist. 

Psychotherapy is a method used to treat mental illnesses like bipolar disorder or depression. It encompasses a variety of modalities designed to help you manage your emotions and cognition, including CBT, EMDR, DBT, and more. These and other forms of psychotherapy can help alleviate symptoms, and identify the psychological root causes of your condition, leading to improved function, enhanced emotional well-being, and healing.

Moreover, psychotherapy can help with coping with stressful life events and trauma, managing a medical illness or grief, and specific mental health conditions like anxiety. Some types of therapy may work better than others in certain clinical situations and can be combined with medication, nutritional therapy, or alternative medicine for a more holistic approach. Below, we explore the types of therapy available and how they can help.

Did you know that mental health therapy can be customized to your situation? A therapist, such as our experts here at Elevate Rockwall, can help determine if your mental health condition is exacerbated by relational conflict. If so, they might recommend family or couples therapy. Yet if your issues seem based on negative, obsessional thinking, or anxiety, individual therapy would be encouraged.

No matter what type of therapy you choose, the results affect more than just the direct participants. For instance, the mood and thought management skills you learn in individual therapy can help in your relationships by improving communication and interaction. Thus, the effects of this type of therapy can extend far beyond the session, leading to better marriages and partnerships, more effective and functional workplaces, and healthier wider communities.

If you’re still not convinced that therapy can help, you should know what the research says. Studies have shown that approximately 75% of people who work with a professional therapist see improvement. Moreover, those with mental health conditions who seek therapy have found that their symptoms lessened and their overall quality of life increased. 

However, therapy is not just for those with depression, anxiety, or mood disorders. The guidance, constructive listening, and supportive feedback provided by a therapist can help anyone seeking better methods to manage their thinking and emotions. Some of the benefits of therapy include:Better communication

• Enhanced sleep quality
• Increased happiness and life satisfaction 
• Higher confidence and feelings of empowerment
• Improved cognition and increased productivity
• Better relationships and peer interactions
• Increased physical well-being
• Improved coping and stress management skills
• Managed behavioral health challenges like quitting smoking or consuming alcohol

Your emotions and thoughts can positively or negatively affect your relationships. Therapists can provide new coping skills, allowing you to delve into your thinking, feeling, and behavior patterns to manage daily stressors. If you want to improve your mental health, our therapists at Elevate Rockwall can help support you on your journey to emotional wellness. Don’t hesitate to reach out today and one of our therapists will give you a call.

Good relationships require good communication, even when there is conflict. Yet many families don’t know how to talk to each other, especially when emotions like stress, anger, or grief are involved. During these times, family therapy is an essential tool that helps couples, parents, and children share emotions and resolve conflicts. Sessions are guided by psychologists, social workers, or therapists with extra training in family therapy such as our team of experts here at Elevate Rockwall. 

So how does family therapy work? This article will review the therapy types that might benefit your family.

​This type of psychological counseling, also known as psychotherapy, is provided by a psychologist, clinical social worker, or licensed therapist. These professionals possess graduate or postgraduate degrees and may hold credentials from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). 

These sessions are usually short-term, include all family members or those who can or are willing to participate, and are designed for better communication and conflict resolution. The specific treatment plan depends on the family conflict and situation. Family therapy sessions can equip you with the mental and emotional skills to strengthen connections and navigate stressful times, even after you've completed the therapy sessions.

​Sessions usually last about 50 minutes to an hour. Family therapy is often short-term, typically around 12 sessions. However, the frequency of meetings and total sessions will depend on your family's specific situation and the therapist's recommendation. Family members typically attend therapy sessions together. 

However, a family member may attend sessions individually. During family therapy, you can expect to explore family roles, rules, and behavior patterns to identify strengths and resolve problems.

There are a variety of techniques used by mental health professionals. The type of therapy chosen depends on the needs and circumstances of your family. Moreover, therapists may combine various therapeutic approaches to find what works. Here are the most common forms of family therapy:

• Functional Family Therapy (FFT): evaluates the family dynamics causing a child's behavioral issues, focusing on family communication, better parenting skills, and positive reinforcement.
• Marriage Counseling/Couples Therapy: couples sessions mediated by a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) specifically trained to assist in identifying problems and finding solutions.
• Strategic Family Therapy: short-term therapy that analyzes the family structure, emphasizing behavioral changes in the family environment.
• Structural Family Therapy: uses direct interactions and conversation to bring about positive change.
• Systemic Family Therapy: considers and evaluates family issues contextually. For instance, the therapist will determine how each family member functions in this dynamic and how those attitudes affect their relationships.

Psychotherapy improves family relationships, leading to better functioning at work or school. Moreover, studies show that family therapy can treat mental and emotional conditions and health issues like adolescent substance use, depression, and obesity. After family therapy treatment, nearly 90% of people experienced better emotional health, and about 66% reported better overall physical health. About 73% of parents reported that their child's behavior improved.

If you're looking for a family therapist, give us a call at Elevate Rockwall to get started! Our team of local therapists provides high-quality counseling services to individuals, couples, teens, and children. We can help you improve family communication for a happy home environment.