Eating Disorders
ADULT AND CHILD PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN KING OF PRUSSIA, PA
Eating disorders affect people of all ages and genders and can present in many ways, from undereating to overeating to overemphasizing the need to eat only “healthy” foods. Nina Patel, CRNP, PMHNP-BC, Vince Di Antonio, CRNP, PMHNP-BC, and the group of licensed practitioners at Alpine Psychiatry in King of Prussia (KOP), Pennsylvania, work closely with the eating disorder specialists in the area, caring for many of the co-occurring conditions that come with these disorders. Contact the office today by calling, texting, or clicking the online booking tool.
Eating disorders are behavioral disorders centered around food, eating, and body image. People with eating disorders have disturbed eating behaviors along with distressing thoughts and emotions.
These conditions affect a person’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. Despite popular belief, eating disorders aren’t a lifestyle choice that only affects white girls. It’s a serious mental illness that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Eating disorders may present in many ways, such as undereating, overeating, overemphasizing healthy foods, or restricted eating. There are many types of eating disorders, such as:
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by self-starvation or overexercising, leading to extreme weight loss.
People with bulimia nervosa alternate between periods of self-starvation or eating only “healthy foods,” followed by uncontrollable eating of large quantities of “forbidden” foods in a short period of time (binge eating).
The binge is then followed by some kind of purge (vomiting, use of laxatives, or overexercising) to get rid of the calories.
People with BED have episodes where they eat large amounts of food in a short period of time, often feeling like they have no control over their eating. After the binge, they feel intense guilt and shame but don’t engage in any purging behaviors.
ARFID is a newly defined eating disorder in which a person has such a restricted intake that they fail to meet their nutrient needs.
Orthorexia is a term used to describe people who can only eat “healthy” foods. This type of restrictive eating may affect social and emotional well-being.
Many people with eating disorders may also struggle with body dysmorphia.
Alpine Psychiatry treats all types of psychiatric disorders. They work closely with the eating disorder specialists in the area, treating co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and depression.
Researchers are also finding that people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk of developing eating disorders.
Treatment for eating disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach. Alpine Psychiatry is a progressive practice providing traditional and complementary therapies to support clients’ needs.
For eating disorders, treatment may include:
The practitioners at Alpine Psychiatry work closely with your other professionals to ensure continuity of care.
Contact Alpine Psychiatry by phone, text, or online for expert adult and child psychiatry care.