At Banyan Treatment Centers Philadelphia, we understand that there are conditions that are just as harmful as substance use disorders. When a person’s mental health suffers, even something as integral as food can become a catalyst for self-destructive behavior. After all, eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates among mental illnesses.1 That is why we offer the best eating disorder treatment in Philadelphia, with proven treatment programs of eating disorder support that can help people return to healthy living.

Fast Facts: Eating Disorder Statistics

There is a growing sense of awareness in the United States regarding the dangers of eating disorders, and eating disorder treatment facilities have become increasingly important, now more than ever. If you are worried that you or someone you know may be struggling with a potentially life-altering condition, you must educate yourself on the subject. Here are a few key figures to know about eating disorders:2

  • About one out of every ten people in the US (28.8 million people) will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime.
  • Every year, around 10,200 people die as a direct result of an eating disorder (one person every 52 minutes.)
  • The economic toll of eating disorders is $64.7 billion every year.
  • More than 26% of those struggling with an eating disorder will attempt suicide.

How Many Types of Eating Disorders Are There?

While there are many eating disorders, the diagnoses mostly boil down to three: Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. At our drug rehab in Philadelphia, we have proven care strategies that can help get your life and health, both mentally and physically, back on track. Let's take a closer look at the three major eating disorders in the United States.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa, or bulimia, involves a food binge followed by measures such as forced vomiting or compensatory exercise to help people feel more in control of their weight. This disorder usually stems from body image distortion (BID) and a sense of losing control in one's life.

Warning Signs

  • Smaller portions of food or skipping meals altogether, paired with a noticeable amount of food being gone
  • Frequent trips to the bathroom after eating
  • Excessive water consumption
  • Food rituals and hoarding food in strange places

Health Effects

Bulimia can lead to dental issues, heart problems, digestive issues, and kidney failure. Fatigue and muscle weakness are also common due to the lack of proper caloric intake.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. People with anorexia place a high value on controlling their weight and shape, and to achieve the desired results, they use extreme efforts that tend to significantly interfere with their lives. Like bulimia nervosa, excessive exercise is usually a step taken by individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa to shed unwanted weight.

Warning Signs

  • Preoccupation with weight and counting calories, and refusing to eat certain foods
  • Making constant suggestions that they feel "fat" or overweight
  • Body image distortion (BID), in which the person may overestimate their body size
  • Consistently making excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food
  • Complaining of constipation, abdominal discomfort, and lethargy

Health Effects

Anorexia can cause long-term problems like:

  • Hair loss
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Hypotension
  • Cold intolerance
  • Osteoporosis
  • Organ damage and deterioration
  • Dehydration
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • Heart failure
  • Gastrointestinal problems

Anorexia can also disrupt sleeping schedules and cause other side effects such as lanugo hair on your face and back and hypoglycemic episodes akin to someone struggling with diabetes. More extreme effects from organ damage and deterioration can lead to death.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge-eating disorder is diagnosable when a person frequently consumes large amounts of food compulsively. Most people dealing with binge-eating are overweight or obese, but it's possible to maintain proper weight and still suffer the side effects.

Warning Signs

  • The disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time
  • A person seems uncomfortable eating around others
  • Withdraws from usual friends and activities
  • Frequent dieting

Health Effects

While bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa usually include compensatory exercise, binge-eating does not. This high-caloric intake without a proper lifestyle shift can lead to a lower quality of life and, eventually, obesity. Symptoms of obesity include joint problems, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Do You Need Eating Disorder Support?

If you find yourself struggling with your relationship with food, then you may need inpatient or outpatient eating disorder treatment. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • Do you believe you have a healthy relationship with your body, food, or exercise?
  • Does your relationship with your body, food, or exercise cause you any stress or unhappiness?
  • What is your quality of life?
  • Is there anything about your body, food, or exercise that you purposefully avoid talking about?
  • Are you satisfied with your eating patterns?
  • Do you ever eat in secret or in hiding?
  • Does your weight affect the way you feel about yourself?
  • Have any members of your family suffered from an eating disorder?
  • Do you currently suffer from or have you previously suffered from an eating disorder?

Eating Disorder Treatment in Philadelphia, PA

Individuals who struggle with disorders like bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa often feel like there is nowhere for them to turn. They also might be neglecting a deeper-rooted problem they're facing. Many times, there are underlying mental disorders that trigger eating disorders. As with co-occurring disorders, the best way to work through the issues is with simultaneous treatments, which helps ensure a successful and long-lasting recovery.

Upon admission to our rehab in Philly, each patient will undergo a clinical and mental health assessment. Our trained staff members will next develop a unique treatment plan for each individual to help them identify and work through their specific condition. The goal is to enable patients to manage the symptoms of their disorder and work at resolving their core issues.

We offer both outpatient and inpatient eating disorder treatment while taking the Pillars of Recovery Momentum into consideration: commitment, communication, community, and compassion. We also follow the philosophy that recovery is possible no matter what condition the patient is facing.

No one person is the same. Our outpatient eating disorder treatment focuses on supporting and understanding each clinical, emotional, and medical need. Even if you are not struggling with eating disorders, there may be another substance you find yourself abusing. Not only do we offer eating disorder support, but we also offer various levels of substance abuse treatment to help people addicted to drugs and alcohol get sober.

Our eating disorder recovery support groups can help you overcome your condition. If you are ready to take the next step down the road to recovery, contact us now to learn more about our eating disorder program and substance abuse treatment.

Sources:

  1. Eating Disorders Coalition - Facts About Eating Disorders: What the Research Shows
  2. ANAD - Eating Disorders Statistics

Most Insurance Plans Accepted

At Banyan Treatment Centers, our goal is to make sure that anyone who needs treatment from drug and alcohol addiction are able to get the help needed to assist them on the road to recovery. If you don't have insurance contact us to inquire about alternate methods regarding treatment for yourself or a loved one.

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