Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can cause people to have unhealthy habits and lead to serious medical problems. People can often deny or do not realize they have an eating disorder. They may only seek treatment when their health is in serious condition.

Quality care, close to home

At Maine Behavioral Healthcare, we treat the whole person. We care about your physical and mental health, so we are making it easier than ever before to access behavioral healthcare through your primary care provider. We are locating counseling, therapy and many other behavioral and mental healthcare services at physician and provider practices.

Contact your primary care provider today to find community care that is close to home.

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. They are serious emotional and physical problems that can have an extreme impact on a person’s health. Eating disorders can be life-threatening if not treated. People can often deny or do not realize they have an eating disorder. They may only seek treatment when their health is in serious condition. Contact your primary care provider if you have concerns about a possible eating disorder.    

Eating disorder symptoms

Eating disorder symptoms vary depending on the type of eating disorder. Symptoms of anorexia or bulimia include:

• Dramatic weight loss in a short period
• Wearing baggy clothes to hide body or shape
• Overly worried about weight
• Overly focused on exercise
• Signs of seriously limiting food or starving oneself
• Using diet pills and laxatives
• Unusual routines or habits around eating food
• Fear of eating around others
• Low self-esteem
• Depression
• Sleeplessness

Screening and diagnosing eating disorders

Many tests can help determine if someone has an eating disorder. Doctors will evaluate someone’s behaviors and thoughts to determine if they are at risk. Further tests can include:

• Blood tests
• Bone density tests
• Electrocardiograms
• Electrolyte tests
• Kidney, liver, thyroid function tests
• Protein examinations
• Urine tests

Treating eating disorders

Eating disorders can be treated. Treatments help patients recognize their habits and behaviors are hurting their health. Doctors will aim to restore the patient’s body to a healthy weight, educate patients on healthy habits, and improve or fix possible damage from their disorder. Patients may be hospitalized if weight has dropped too much or continues to drop during treatment. Examples of treatments can include:

• Psychotherapy
• Support groups
• Programs and schedules
• Medications