Rockwall, TX Counseling For Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are mental illnesses that can affect people of all genders, races, ethnicity, or class. According to statistics, about 9% of Americans, or 30 million people, will develop an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime.

If left untreated, eating disorders can cause other serious health complications and prove to be fatal. These disorders have the highest risk of mortality of all mental illnesses.

Fortunately, several treatment options can help you recover from an eating disorder. Counseling for eating disorders combined with medications is the preferred and most effective approach to treating the condition and setting yourself on the path to recovery!
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What Is An Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition characterized by unhealthy eating behaviors driven by thoughts and emotions regarding weight, body shape, or appearance. 
These disorders might include restrictive eating or avoiding specific foods due to the perceived consequences of eating them. 
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The most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating. This debilitating condition can drastically affect your physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.

What to Expect During Eating Disorder Counseling?

Recovering from an eating disorder is possible but can take time. The type of eating disorder and your symptoms will determine the most suitable treatment plan, as there is no single all-encompassing approach.

The professionals will work with you to establish healthy eating habits by changing unhealthy behaviors and challenging negative thoughts. They will also treat other physical or mental health concerns that might have developed due to your eating disorder, which might prove life-threatening if overlooked for too long.

To achieve these goals, eating disorder counseling primarily relies on psychological therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, or group CBT. The aim is to help you control your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors toward food and develop a positive perception of it.

Nutritional counseling is also a vital aspect of eating disorder treatment. A nutritionist or dietitian can work with you to create healthy eating habits by explaining the importance of proper nutrition. You will also practice meal planning and learn to develop regular eating patterns.

Who Can Benefit From Eating Disorder Counseling?

If you are suffering from an eating disorder, it is vital to seek medical help immediately with a healthcare practitioner. Managing eating disorders can take time; however, early treatment via counseling can enhance your chances of recovery.

You can benefit from eating disorder counseling if you have:

Anorexia Nervosa

This type of eating disorder involves not eating enough food and imposing excessive food restrictions upon oneself by obsessing about weight. People suffering from anorexia nervosa often starve themselves due to the fear of gaining weight or getting fat. Accordingly, they limit their food intake, consume only low amounts of low-calorie foods, and exercise too much, maintaining a below-average body weight for their age and height. 

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by eating large amounts in a short period, often several times a day. People with this type of eating disorder often lose control over what and how much they eat. Consequently, they take drastic actions to burn that extra caloric intake to avoid gaining weight, like vomiting, over exercising, or misusing laxatives.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Binge eating disorder (BED) is when individuals experience uncontrolled episodes of consuming large portions of food in a short time. However, unlike bulimia nervosa, they do not purge or take extreme measures to compensate to get rid of the food they ate, despite feeling guilty or distressed.

Eating Disorder Counseling Services

Elevate Rockwall takes great pride in offering comprehensive eating disorder counseling services to people of all ages. Our team of counselors is committed to providing a high level of care with utmost professionalism and dedication while taking your confidentiality seriously. 

If you are suffering from an eating disorder, take action. Call us today to schedule your appointment, and set yourself on the path to a happy and healthy life which you deserve once again!