Eating Disorders Treatment
For more information call Mental Health Services 301 314-8106
Eating Disorders Resources
To find Referrals for treatment a comprehensive list can be found here.
To learn more and to self-screen for disordered eating click here.
Who Gets Eating Disorders?
Did you know that 3 out of 4 college women struggle with some type of disordered eating behavior or thought patterns
and that 90% of women on a college campus have tried to control their weight through dieting? Did you know that men also
struggle with body dissatisfaction and eating concerns? In fact in a small University of Maryland study, it was found
that almost one third of the male respondents reported feeling preoccupied with food and their body image. Were you
aware that eating disorders affect people of all races and backgrounds?
The prevalence of eating disorders, along with the seriousness of these disorders make this an important concern not
only for students who may be struggling with disordered eating but also for the people who love and care about them. We
at the Mental Health Service offer the information posted on our website in hopes that it can be a useful place to
start but encourage you to discuss whatever concerns you may have with a qualified professional.
Anorexia is an intense fear of becoming fat, accompanied by self-starvation and refusal to gain weight. As the
disorder progresses, women stop having periods, and put themselves at risk for electrolyte imbalances, stress fractures,
and weaknesses of the heart muscle that can lead to death. Many anorexics may periodically binge and purge like bulimics.
Bulimia is repeated episodes of rapidly eating large amounts of food, followed by self-induced vomiting, excessive
exercise, or overuse of laxatives. Bulimia often feels like a prevention of weight gain, but it can quickly pull one
into a destructive cycle of binging and purging, with serious health risks.
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified can include binge eating and/or compulsive eating. Binge eating is a pattern
of recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food in response to feelings rather than hunger, and a sense of lack of
control over how much or when to stop eating. Binges are usually followed by guilt, self-hatred and depression, rather
than purging. Compulsive eating works in much the same way in that the person often feels guilty and shameful after
overeating.
Eating issues can range from general concerns about food and body weight, preoccupation with food and dieting,
emotional eating, all the way up to a full-blown eating disorder. See the eating disorders continuum on this website
for more information on the range of eating and body image attitudes. To check if treatment may be recommended for you,
take the Eating Attitudes Test which is also available on this website. Your score will indicate a suggested course of
action.
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Are You Suffering From an Eating Disorder?
- Are you totally preoccupied with weight and thinness?
- Do you panic at the thought of weight gain or overeating?
- Do you fast for periods of time or frequently deny hunger?
- Do you feel a compulsion to work-out even if you are tired?
- Do you increase or decrease exercise based on your weight or the food you've eaten?
- Are you depressed if unable to exercise?
- Do you feel guilty after eating?
- Do you go on eating binges and feel that you can't stop eating?
- Do you weigh yourself several times a day?
- Do you eat when you are lonely, nervous, anxious, or depressed?
- Do you feel that food controls your life?
- Take the test about eat
If you answer yes to some of these questions, perhaps it is time to talk with someone about how to make some changes in your life and your feelings about your relationship to food.back to top
Signs of Anorexia
- Dry skin
- Loss of hair
- Cold hands and feet
- Digestive problems
- Loss of menstrual period
- Fatigue
- Emaciated appearance
- Insomnia
- Isolating oneself from friends
- Fear of food
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Signs of Bulimia
- Chronic sore throat
- Dehydration
- Damage to tooth enamel
- Bleeding from the throat
- Digestive disorders
- Muscle weakness, due to electrolyte imbalance
- Guilt and isolation
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How Can Someone Regain Control?
If you or a friend have problems around food and weight, there is help available in our Eating Disorders Program at the University Health
Center.
It is crucial to begin to deal with the psychological aspects of the disorder including feelings about loss of control and low self esteem.
Changing behaviors usually follows understanding one's feelings and attitudes. Early recognition is essential to the successful treatment
of eating disorders, as the more advanced the problem, the more difficult it is to resolve.
Treatment at the University Health Center is tailored to each person, with a range of possibilities. Components of treatment usually
include:
- A medical evaluation
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group treatment, with a small number of students dealing with the same problems
- Nutritional Guidance
The Eating Disorders Peer Program allows students in recovery to offer help to newly diagnosed sufferers, by individual consultations or
presentations to classrooms, residence halls and sorority houses. back to top
To make an appointment for a consultation, telephone 314-8106, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. You may speak with a therapist
about our Eating Disorders Program by telephoning 314-8106. back to top
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