Eating Disorders Anonymous: Exploring eating disorder treatment options

There are several eating disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). These include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder. 

Eating disorders are common mental illnesses that can severely impair mental and physical health. At times, those living with an eating disorder experience isolation and a lack of understanding from family members and peers. In these cases, support groups may be a helpful way to connect with others. The fellowship, Eating Disorders Anonymous, is a free, non-denominational resource for those who hope to recover from or maintain recovery from an eating disorder. 

Although these groups can be helpful, it can also be valuable to note that many people with eating disorders benefit from a treatment team, including medical and licensed mental health professionals. Some people at high risk for health complications may find value in psychiatric inpatient care or nutritional rehabilitative care. Use support groups as an additional resource to these forms of treatment. 

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can be life-threatening if left unaddressed. Eating disorders go beyond dieting, desiring to lose weight, or overeating occasionally. Many people with eating disorders engage in maladaptive, compulsive behaviors and experience distressing unwanted thoughts about food, weight, eating, and body image. 

Some people may engage in calorie restriction, skipping meals, excessive exercise, purging, binge eating, or laxative use. Anyone can develop an eating disorder, regardless of age, weight, cultural background, or gender. 

Types of eating disorders

Different eating disorders result in unique symptoms. Below are a few of the most common eating disorders and how they can present in individuals.  

Binge eating disorder 

Binge eating disorder is characterized by reoccurring episodes of eating significant quantities of food over a short period. While eating, some people may temporarily feel emotional relief, but it is often followed by abdominal pain, shame, guilt, distress, and loss of control. Some people with binge eating disorder hide episodes of eating and experience symptoms of depression, low self-esteem, and shame. 

Bulimia nervosa

People with bulimia nervosa may experience recurrent binge eating episodes, followed by purging (vomiting), laxatives, excessive exercise, dieting pills, diuretics, or enemas to expel the food. For individuals with diagnosed bulimia nervosa, binge eating and purging behaviors often occur once a week or more.  

Anorexia nervosa 

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by fear of weight gain, body dysmorphia, or a distorted ability to perceive weight accurately. People with anorexia often restrict calorie intake by skipping meals, limiting the types of food eaten, exercising to excess, or using dieting pills or laxatives. Many people with anorexia experience low self-esteem due to weight and have hyper-fixations about avoiding weight gain, including while underweight. They may struggle to realize they are living with an eating disorder, potentially avoiding treatment or interventions from others. 

Avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) 

Avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder not characterized by a desire for weight loss. Instead, individuals with ARFID exhibit selective eating habits that cause difficulty meeting adequate nutritional needs. ARFID may be more common in people with anxiety disorders or those who are neurodivergent, like autistic individuals or people living with ADHD.

While eating disorders can be severe, there are treatment options. Many people find psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, medical interventions, medications, and support groups helpful in achieving recovery. If you think you may have an eating disorder, you can discuss the options that might be best for you with your primary care practitioner or a mental health professional. 

Eating disorder risk factors 

Anyone can develop an eating disorder, but some factors may put people at a heightened risk, including the following:

• A family history of eating disorders 
• Other mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) 
• Dieting and starvation cause a change in how the brain responds to hunger
• Chronic stress or a significant life change
• Participation in a sport with a focus on weight
• Self-oriented perfectionism
• Body image difficulties
• Body dysmorphic disorder 
• Behavioral rigidity
• Experiencing bullying regarding weight or appearance 
• Social media posts or ads about weight and dieting 
• Loneliness

Treatment for eating disorders

When one reaches out for support, an evaluation for eating disorders may be conducted by a medical practitioner or mental health professional. Afterward, they may develop a treatment plan, including treating physical complications related to the eating disorder. 

The provider might also assess the need for further resources and help clients consider options like outpatient programs and hospitalization. Many people rely on a combination of the following to achieve and maintain eating disorder recovery:

Medication 

People who have eating disorders are often diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or depression. A psychiatrist may prescribe medications, such as antidepressants, to treat co-occurring disorders, which could help the individual focus on addressing the eating disorder. In some cases, a medical professional may prescribe medications for the eating disorder alone. Consult a doctor, like a psychiatrist, before starting, changing, or stopping any medication. 

Free support resources 

Eating Disorders Anonymous offers various forms of support, including in-person meetings, phone calls, and online chats. Local organizations may also offer free or low-cost group and individual support services. 

Nutritional counseling 

Registered dietitians may be recommended to help people understand nutritional needs, plan for meals, avoid dieting or binging behaviors, and improve physical health.  

Therapy 

Psychotherapy is one of the top forms of treatment for adopting healthy coping strategies, learning to recognize eating habits and mood cycles, and improving self-esteem. A licensed therapist may incorporate elements of several types of therapy in recovery, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-based therapy, and group cognitive-behavioral therapy. Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) has also effectively treated eating disorders, often in those experiencing compulsive or obsessive behavior or co-occurring OCD. 

How attending a support group may be beneficial 

Social support can help people recover from eating disorders. In particular, support groups may reduce the social isolation often associated with eating disorders. Clients can learn from others, practice compassion for themselves through empathy for others, and experience non-judgmental support from people who understand. 

Free support groups are often available in both online and in-person formats. Some support groups are specific to certain age groups, eating disorders, or stages of recovery. Formats also vary, from self-help to professionally led and operated support groups. Talk to your doctor or therapist to find local recommendations. You can also call the eating disorder hotline at the top of this article for further guidance.

Alternative counseling options 

For some people, discussing eating disorders and habits associated with shame and guilt with a therapist face-to-face may feel challenging. In these instances, online therapy may be recommended. 

A study published in BMC Psychiatry found that online platforms are effective in helping clients address bulimia nervosa, binge eating, body dissatisfaction, and other common eating-related disorders. Online platforms, like BetterHelp, offer support from therapists specializing in eating disorder-focused therapy. 

In addition to studies backing up online counseling, many clients find online therapy preferable due to its low cost, flexibility, and convenience. If you live in a rural area, you might be able to find a therapist specializing in eating disorders by working with someone online instead.