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If you or a loved one restricts food, obsessively counts calories, and eats in secret, you can find the help you need at Empower You Mental Health & Wellness. Confidential evaluations are available for adults and adolescents with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. Candice Jackson Parrish, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, takes a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach to rebuilding your relationship with food and body image. Screenings and treatment are available in-office and through a virtual telehealth platform. Call the office in Carmel, Indiana, today to schedule a consultation for eating disorders or book an appointment online.
Eating Disorders Q & A
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are serious health issues that negatively affect your physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Common types of eating disorders include:
Anorexia
People with anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight and unrealistic views of their body size and shape.
They take extreme measures like food restriction, laxatives, and excessive exercise to control their weight, which can lead to potentially life-threatening health problems.
Bulimia
Bulimia is an eating disorder that involves episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period and then vomiting (purging) to prevent weight gain. People with bulimia may also restrict food for an extended time.
Binge-eating disorder
A binge-eating disorder describes eating an excessive amount of food in a short time without purging. Those with this disorder have no control over their eating and often eat when they aren’t hungry.
Empower You Mental Health & Wellness offers compassionate care for adults and adolescents with an eating disorder. Evaluations are available in the office and through a virtual telehealth platform.
What are the warning signs of eating disorders?
Symptoms of an eating disorder vary from person to person based on the nature of the condition. Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Empower You Mental Health & Wellness if you need help recovering from an eating disorder.
If you suspect your child has an unhealthy body image or symptoms of an eating disorder, you can also book an appointment. Potential warning signs of an eating disorder include:
- Skipping meals
- Excessive exercise
- Noticeable weight loss
- Preoccupation with food
- Obsessive weight checks
- Tooth decay (from purging)
- Frequent bathroom visits
- Hiding food, dietary supplements, or laxatives
Adults and adolescents may also exhibit changes in their personality, appear depressed or anxious, and withdraw from family events or social activities.
How are eating disorders treated?
Empower You Mental Health & Wellness offers comprehensive treatment plans for people with an eating disorder. Candice takes a patient-centered approach to managing unhealthy relationships with food and body image and may recommend:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is an effective tool for helping you recognize negative eating habits and thought patterns. Therapy gives you tools to cope with stress and body image issues in a healthier way.
Holistic strategies
Meditation, mindfulness practices, and other holistic strategies are beneficial for calming the mind and nervous system.
Call Empower You Mental Health & Wellness today to discuss the available treatment options for eating disorders or use the online feature to book an appointment.