Eating disorders can impact people of all ages. Without professional intervention, these disorders are fatal. Calling eating disorder hotlines can be a helpful first step in finding treatment for someone with anorexia, bulimia, or other disorders of this nature. A hotline for eating disorders is not only a useful resource for the individual but also for friends and family members seeking information about how to help their loved ones. As a Philadelphia eating disorder clinic, we’re sharing some helpful eating disorder hotlines as well as our treatment options.
Eating disorders are behavioral conditions characterized by severe and persistent disturbances in eating behaviors, which are associated with thoughts and emotions. They can be very serious conditions affecting physical, psychological, and social functioning. Below are the most common types of eating disorders, each of which is marked by various symptoms.
Anorexia nervosa is a type of eating disorder where the individual avoids food, severely restricts food, or eats very small quantities of only certain foods. They may also weigh themselves repeatedly and even see themselves as overweight, although in reality, they may be severely underweight. There are two subtypes of anorexia: a restrictive subtype and a binge-purge subtype.
Restrictive anorexia is when people with this condition severely limit the amount and type of food they consume. Binge-purge anorexia is when the person greatly restricts the amount and type of food they consume. Additionally, they may have binge-eating and purging episodes – eating large amounts of food in a short time, followed by vomiting or using laxatives or diuretics to get rid of the calories they consumed.
Common symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:
Bulimia nervosa is another kind of eating disorder where the person may have recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food and feeling a lack of control over these binge episodes. Binge-eating behavior is followed by behavior that compensates for the overeating, such as self-induced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, excessive exercise, or a combination of these behaviors.
Common symptoms of bulimia include:
People with binge-eating disorder lose control over their eating and have reoccurring episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food. Unlike bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder episodes are not followed by purging, excessive exercise, or fasting. As a result, people with this disorder tend to be overweight or obese.
Binge-eating disorder symptoms include:
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), previously known as selective eating disorder, is a condition in which the person limits the amount or type of food they eat. Unlike anorexia nervosa, however, people with ARFID don’t have distorted body image or extreme fear of weight gain. ARFID is most common among middle school children and usually has an earlier onset than other eating disorders.
While many children go through phases of picky eating, a child with ARFID doesn’t eat enough calories to grow and develop properly. Adults with ARFID also do not eat enough calories to maintain basic body functions.
ARFID symptoms include:
An eating disorder hotline is a phone number that can be called to learn more about eating disorders and eating disorder programs. An eating disorder helpline number is staffed by professionals who are knowledgeable about disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and more. Even someone who isn’t necessarily ready to receive treatment or is unsure if they have an eating disorder can benefit from calling an eating disorders hotline.
Whether your case involves anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder, calling an eating disorder help hotline is a free, simple, and effective way to learn more about symptoms and treatment options. When you reach out to an eating disorder hotline, the representative may ask questions like:
If you’re the loved one of someone with an eating disorder and you’re calling the hotline to get help, the specialist on the call can help you find options in your area. Furthermore, these services are free, with the exception of certain additional services that may be requested.
Below is a list of eating disorder hotlines you can call to find out more about symptoms and treatment options:
In addition to a hotline number, you can call whenever you need us, our drug rehab in Langhorne, PA, offers various eating disorder and addiction treatment programs. From anorexia nervosa treatment to support for people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), we’re here to help you or a loved one regain control over their lives.
For more information about our Philadelphia eating disorder treatment or addiction services, call Banyan Treatment Centers today at 888-280-4763.
Related Reading:
If you or a loved one are struggling with drugs or alcohol, call us now!
Sign up below to receive 10% OFF your entire order!
"*" indicates required fields