About Eating Disorders

What is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is a serious disease, and is potentially life-threatening. A shared symptom among all eating disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge-Eating Disorder) is a preoccupation with food, body-weight, shape, and size that leads to dangerous behaviors such as self-starvation, self-induced vomiting, laxative/diuretic/diet pill abuse, compulsive over-exercise, binge-episodes, and compulsive over-eating. Eating disorders are not “chosen”, although it might feel that way to the individual sufferer and her/his family. The symptoms of the disease become habitual ways to cope with stress, and breaking the cycle of symptoms almost always requires professional, multidisciplinary treatment.

Eating disorders do not discriminate between gender, class, race or age. They can and do happen to anyone.

There are many contributing factors associated with the emergence of an eating disorder. Increasing evidence shows that eating disorders are heritable, biologically-based diseases. Besides the role of genetics, research shows eating disorders to be associated with personality and temperament traits (i.e., a high need for perfectionism), a history of unwanted sexual experiences, childhood abuse and/or neglect, mood and anxiety disorders, maturity fears, family problems, control issues, and interpersonal distrust and conflict. However, it is important to note that not everyone with eating disorders may have had any of the experiences listed above, and that there is no single known cause of an eating disorder. Because of the complex nature of eating disorders, it is imperative to view each person with the disease as unique, designing treatment plans that integrate empirically-supported therapies tailored to fit the needs of the person.

The three most common eating disorders are: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. As defined by DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria:

Seeking Help From Your Eating Disorder

Seeking help is the first step to the recovery process. A common symptom of eating disorders is denial of the severity of the problem, so it can be very difficult for the individual sufferer to acknowledge and face the disease. However, if you or someone you know has an eating disorder, do not delay seeking help. The chances of recovery are far greater if help for an eating disorder is sought early on. La Ventana offers various therapies such as individual, family, and group psychotherapy, supervised meals/snacks, nutritional counseling, grocery outings, and support groups. La Ventana will help you reverse your unhealthy patterns and provide a treatment plan specific to your needs. When you call La Ventana you can confidentially speak with our admissions counselor to answer any of your questions and to determine if our program is the right one for you or your loved one. La Ventana can help you address, understand and begin recovery when you or your loved one is ready.