embrace a journey to heal your relationship with food
We understand that dealing with eating disorders can be a challenging journey. Whether you’re struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or disordered eating behaviors, we offer compassionate and evidence-based support in Chicago and beyond.
Effective Eating Disorder Treatment in Chicago
Eating Disorders vs. Disordered Eating
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder involve specific patterns of disordered eating that meet diagnostic criteria. These conditions often require specialized treatment and ongoing support.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where a person eats very little, has a strong fear of gaining weight, and sees their body differently than it actually is. This often leads to severe restriction of food intake and is primarily driven by starvation.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa involves regular cycles of eating a lot of food in a short period (binge eating) followed by actions to undo the eating, like vomiting or excessive exercising. This pattern of behavior is used to control weight but can lead to significant physical and emotional issues.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is characterized by frequently eating large amounts of food quickly and feeling unable to stop. This type of overeating often happens because the body is overwhelmed, which can disrupt normal digestion and lead to feelings of guilt and depression.
Disordered Eating
Disordered eating is a category of eating behaviors that might be defined as clinically significant or may not meet the diagnostic criteria of eating disorder yet they are harmful to your health and productivity. Such behaviors include:
Sticking to Rigid Diet Rules
This involves following very strict and inflexible dietary rules. You might:
Avoid Certain Foods - Stick to a specific set of allowed foods, avoiding anything that doesn’t fit within these rigid guidelines.
Feel Anxiety Around Eating - Experience stress or discomfort when eating outside of these rules.
Orthorexia
Orthorexia is a term used to describe an intense focus on eating foods that are perceived as healthy. Although it’s not officially recognized in the DSM, it’s widely acknowledged and impacts many people. Key characteristics include:
Fixation on Food Quality - An obsession with consuming foods believed to be pure, organic, raw, vegan, or non-GMO.
Dietary Restrictions - Avoiding foods deemed unhealthy, leading to a very limited and inflexible diet.
Time and Mental Energy - Investing a significant amount of time and mental effort into planning, researching, and preparing meals, which can interfere with daily activities and social interactions.
Emotional Consequences - Experiencing guilt or anxiety when consuming foods outside of self-imposed dietary guidelines, which may create a cycle of strict dieting and negative emotions.
Risk Factors:
Personality Traits - Perfectionism, high anxiety levels, and a need for control.
Societal Influences - Emphasis on health and wellness, often amplified by media and social networks.
Professional Pressures - Professions that stress body image or health, such as athletes, healthcare professionals, and fitness trainers.
Our Approach
There are a variety of therapeutic techniques we use to cope with eating disorders and disordered eating:
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CBT focuses on changing negative thoughts about food and body image.
For example, if you think you’re not good enough because of your weight, CBT helps you understand and challenge these thoughts.
By doing this, you can start to see yourself in a more positive light and develop healthier eating habits.
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DBT provides practical skills for managing emotions and improving your relationships with others. It can help you deal with intense feelings, like anxiety around eating, and teach you how to communicate better with those around you.
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ACT focuses on accepting your thoughts and feelings without letting them control your actions. It encourages you to act in ways that are in line with your values. If you value health, ACT helps you make choices that support a balanced relationship with food, rather than reacting to negative thoughts.
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EMDR is used to process and reduce the impact of past traumas related to eating behaviors. If you have had traumatic experiences that affect your eating habits, EMDR can help you work through these feelings and reduce their hold on you.
We incorporate the Health at Every Size (HAES) principles and intuitive eating practices to support a positive body image and encourage a balanced approach to self-care.
Consultation with nutrition professionals can be a part of your individual treatment plan in order to receive comprehensive care.
