So, no matter how long you (or a loved one) have been struggling, what size body you live in, how severe your symptoms are, or if no one else in your life understands – If you have any of the following symptoms (or anything not on this list) that are impacting your quality of life, YOU DESERVE HELP.
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a complex eating disorder characterized by an unwarranted drive for thinness and distorted body image leading to restriction of food, over-exercise, and intense fear of weight gain. AN is responsible for one of the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric illnesses, and therefore requires prompt treatment, typically with a comprehensive team of specialists including a registered dietitian, therapist, primary care physician, and possibly a psychiatrist or other medical providers.
A dietitian’s role in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: A starved brain, unsurprisingly, does not function like a nourished brain. Therefore, the first step in treatment requires a strategic nutrition rehabilitation plan created by a registered dietitian (RD) trained in eating disorders to promote weight restoration and normalize body functioning. The refeeding process itself carries risks that an eating disorder specialized RD will monitor for and work to prevent, such as electrolyte abnormalities or the life-threatening condition called refeeding syndrome.
As our patients respond to treatment, we will also guide them through correcting distorted views of food, body image, and exercise as well as help them to get back in touch with hunger/fullness cues with the goal of normalizing eating patterns for the long-term.
While our patients work through their eating disorder, we also work with the support team at home to understand what their loved one is going through and the best ways to support them with their recovery.
Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder characterized by cycles of bingeing followed by purging through a variety of mechanisms. This can lead to several severe and potentially life-threatening medical complications, including but not limited to irreversible damage to the esophagus, severe electrolyte imbalances, and irregular heart rate. It is also a complex disorder that generally requires a comprehensive team treatment approach, including a registered dietitian, therapist, medical doctor, and other medical professionals as necessary.
A dietitian’s role in the treatment of Bulimia Nervosa: The main goal of medical nutrition therapy with BN is to break the binge/purge cycle and create a normalized eating pattern that provides adequate calories, macronutrients, micronutrients, and fluid and to correct any electrolyte imbalances that have happened as a result of bulimic behaviors or the refeeding process.
As our patients respond to treatment, we will also guide them through correcting distorted views of food, body image, and exercise as well as help them to get back in touch with hunger/fullness cues with the goal of normalizing eating patterns for the long-term.
While our patients work through their eating disorder, we also work with the support team at home to understand what their loved one is going through and the best ways to support them with their recovery.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder; however, tends to be significantly under-diagnosed and many patients do not get proper diagnosis and/or treatment. Typical presentation of BED include using food as a coping tool to handle tough situations or emotions and feeling completely out of control when these episodes take place.
A dietitian’s role in the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder: The main goal of medical nutrition therapy with BED to normalize eating patterns by providing the body with regular and adequate nutrients to meet individual needs. This is coupled with identifying and understanding the purpose that eating serves in coping with life and its emotions.
As our patients respond to treatment, we will also guide them through correcting distorted views of food, body image, and exercise as well as help them to get back in touch with hunger/fullness cues with the goal of normalizing eating patterns for the long-term.
While our patients work through their eating disorder, we also work with the support team at home to understand what their loved one is going through and the best ways to support them with their recovery.
Type 1 Diabetes puts one at higher risk for developing an eating disorder in general, in part due to hyper-focus on carbohydrates. Completely dependent on insulin to manage blood sugar levels, those with Diabulimia may restrict insulin, leading to chronically elevated blood sugar levels in efforts to lose weight. In many cases this type of eating disorder can be overlooked as many healthcare providers unfamiliar with Diabulimia might mistakenly assume that their patients are taking insulin as prescribed – thus, instead of addressing the intentional disordered use of insulin, may instead provide corrections in insulin dosing to control the blood sugar levels. Chronically elevated blood sugar levels experienced by those with Diabulimia have severe and potentially life-threatening consequences and must be addressed as soon as possible by an entire treatment team, including an endocrinologist, dietitian, therapist, etc.
A dietitian’s role in the treatment of Diabulimia: The main goal of medical nutrition therapy with Diabulimia is to normalize eating patterns and blood sugar levels by providing the body with regular and adequate nutrition to meet individual needs and properly implementing the prescribed insulin regimen. The refeeding process itself carries risks that an eating disorder specialized RD will monitor for and work to prevent, such as electrolyte abnormalities or the life-threatening condition called refeeding syndrome. With diabulimia, we also monitor blood sugars and work to stabilize them within goal range.
As our patients respond to treatment, we will also guide them through correcting distorted views of food, body image, and exercise as well as help them to get back in touch with hunger/fullness cues with the goal of normalizing eating patterns for the long-term. We also ensure our patients and their home support team is educated on carbohydrate counting and dietary tools to manage blood sugars.
While our patients work through their eating disorder, we also work with the support team at home to understand what their loved one is going through and the best ways to support them with their recovery.
While many children could be considered “picky eaters” and even many adults consider themselves picky with certain foods, those with ARFID are so limited in what they will eat that it has a significant negative impact on their health status. Those suffering from ARFID avoid foods due to things like texture, appearance, smell, taste, or negative experiences they associate with certain foods.
ARFID presents similarly to Anorexia Nervosa (AN) with low body weight or significant weight loss and restricted eating, but unlike with AN, those with ARFID do not typically have any desire to change their body through restricted intake. Due to limited intake and severe food aversions, ARFID can lead to nutrient deficiencies and failure to grow, which can lead to long-term complications.
A dietitian’s role in the treatment of ARFID: The main goal of nutrition therapy is to expand variety and adequacy of the diet to provide all required nutrition in the least restricted way. Treatment typically includes planned and controlled exposures to foods and supplementation of nutrients not able to be provided through the diet alone. Weight restoration is usually a part of the treatment process as well in order to normalize body/brain functioning. As with AN, it is important that the RD monitors for complications that can arise, including refeeding syndrome and electrolyte imbalances.
As our patients respond to treatment, we will also guide them through correcting distorted views of food and expand the variety of their diet to include adequate amounts and types of foods to promote a high quality of life.
While our patients work through their eating disorder, we also work with the support team at home to understand what their loved one is going through and the best ways to support them with their recovery.
