Advance Behavioral Health Services

Eating Disorders Treatment in Chicagoland

An eating disorder is a mental health condition characterized by disturbances in eating behaviors and attitudes towards food, weight, and body image. Eating disorders can have serious physical, emotional, and social consequences and often require professional treatment for recovery. There are several types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and others.

Signs & Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Symptoms of an eating disorder can vary depending on the specific type of disorder, but there are common signs and behaviors that may indicate the presence of disordered eating. These symptoms can affect a person’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. Here are some common symptoms associated with different types of eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa:

Bulimia Nervosa:

Cognitive Symptoms:

Binge-Eating Disorder:

Treatment Options

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Addresses distorted thoughts and beliefs about food, weight, and body image, and helps develop healthier coping strategies and behaviors.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT): Targets interpersonal issues and relationships that may contribute to the development or maintenance of the eating disorder.

Family-Based Therapy (FBT): Involves the family in treatment to support the individual's recovery, particularly for adolescents with eating disorders.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focuses on building mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills to manage eating disorder symptoms and related emotions.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing an eating disorder involves a comprehensive assessment conducted by a qualified healthcare professional, typically involving several key steps. Firstly, a thorough clinical interview is conducted to gather information about the individual’s eating habits, attitudes toward food, weight, and body image, alongside their medical and family history. Standardized diagnostic criteria, such as those outlined in the DSM-5, are then utilized to determine if the individual’s symptoms align with a specific eating disorder. Additionally, a physical examination may be performed to assess overall health and identify any physical signs or complications associated with the disorder.

Help Manage Your Eating Disorder

With support from our expert providers you can go…

1. From obsession with food and weight to a balanced relationship with foo

Through therapy and nutritional counseling, an individual can transition from being consumed by thoughts of food, weight, and body image to developing a more balanced and healthy relationship with food, nourishing their body without guilt or anxiety.

2. From restrictive eating habits to intuitive eating:

With the guidance of a registered dietitian and support from therapy, someone can move from rigidly restricting their food intake or engaging in disordered eating behaviors to learning to listen to their body’s hunger and fullness cues, practicing intuitive eating, and enjoying a variety of foods without fear or guilt.

3. From isolation to connection with others:

Through group therapy, support groups, and family involvement, an individual can go from isolating themselves due to shame or secrecy surrounding their eating disorder to connecting with others who understand their struggles, building supportive relationships, and receiving encouragement and understanding from loved ones.

4. From medical complications to physical well-being:

With comprehensive medical care and monitoring, a person can transition from experiencing physical complications associated with their eating disorder, such as malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, and organ damage, to achieving improved physical health and vitality.

5. From low self-esteem to self-acceptance and self-love:

Through therapy, self-reflection, and practicing self-compassion, someone can move from struggling with low self-esteem and negative body image to cultivating self-acceptance, self-love, and appreciation for their unique qualities and strengths beyond physical appearance.

How To Get Started

1. Fill in the new patient form

2. Receive your personalized evaluation & treatment plan

3. Experience mental wellness