Eating Disorder

Eating Disorder

Eating disorder has sub-categories of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. People who have either disorder have traits of difficulty with dependency and trust. In some way, they feel lack of proper nurturance which produces a need for reassurance and, eventually, a sense of emptiness that the person struggles to fill with some sort of reassuring conduct (rituals).

A moral, ethical, and aesthetic withdrawal occurs at the same time, for the anorexic will resort to any means to maintain her system of control. She no longer shares society’s concept of an attractive and healthy appearance. She has departed from group values and withdraws to her obsessional system for emotional safety. Yet, throughout all these changes, she remains a nurturer of friends and family.

While the anorexic’s behaviors are conceived as her identity, the bulimic’s behavior serves more of a secret regulatory function. Binging and vomiting, as well as laxative abuse, become the hidden regulators of anxiety, panic, and depression. The bulimic hides her rituals and attempts to pretend nothing at all has changed.

As there are different types of eating disorders, we use various methods to work with clients for their individual needs. We utilize psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, family, sociocultural, and gestalt perspectives. Depending on our assessment, we will design a treatment model that will suit your specific needs.