Eating Disorder Treatment at Vantage Point Center for Psychotherapy

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can be life-threatening and often cause significant emotional distress for the sufferer and their loved ones.  If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, we want you to know that recovery is possible and our team of specialists can help support you along the way.

At Vantage Point we offer a holistic approach to treating eating disorders, one which integrates both the body and the mind.  Our specialists will work with you to identify the underlying emotional, mental, and physical dynamics that are fueling your eating disorder and keeping you stuck.   We will also work with you to develop alternative ways of coping in order to help you reduce discomfort, meet your personal goals, and improve your life.

We strongly believe in a "team" approach to eating disorder recovery, and when it is appropriate for your treatment, we can work directly with your medical doctor, your dietician or our in-house dietician, a great network of local Psychiatrists, support groups, and other complimentary health care providers to ensure that you are getting the support you need throughout the recovery process. Most importantly, we will work closely with you and your loved ones (if and when appropriate) to develop and implement a treatment plan that works best for you.   

Our team of clinicians are well-versed in the following treatment types for Eating Disorders: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Relational Psychotherapy. 

Vantage Point offers the following specialized services for eating disorders in addition to individual psychotherapy:

For additional information, or to schedule an assessment, please call us at 916-284-1416.

Bulimia Nervosa is a type of eating disorder where a person engages in (bingeing) on large quantities of food and attempts to prevent weight gain by engaging in compensatory behaviors (purging) such as vomiting, excessive exercising, or the use of laxatives, enemas, diuretics, or other medications.

Bulimia Symptoms*

• Irregular eating habits (Fasting or eating excessive quantities of food) 
  
• Excessive concern with weight gain/loss
  
• Eats large quantities of food in a short period of time
  
• Eats alone or is secretive about eating
  
• Feels out of control
  
• Feels like they can't stop eating
  
• Dieting
  
• Hoards food
  
• Goes to the bathroom after meals    
  
• Vomits to prevent weight gain
  
• May run water in the bathroom to hide the sounds of vomiting
  
• Use of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to prevent weight gain
  
• Excessively exercises to prevent weight gain
  
• Tooth Decay
  
• Deals with emotional stress by overeating           
  
• Irregular menstrual period
  
• Swollen facial glands (puffy cheeks)                      
  
• Feels shame after eating
  
• Fluctuating body weight
  

What is Binge-Eating Disorder?

Binge-Eating Disorder  is a type of eating disorder in which an individual eats an excessive amount of food in a short period of time and the individual feels out of control and/or like they can't stop eating.   Binge-Eating Disorder differs from Bulimia in that the person does not engage in compensatory behavior (purging).

Binge-Eating Disorder Symptoms*

• Eating an excessive quantity of food in a short period of time
  

• Eating until uncomfortable full

• Feeling like you are out of control
  

• Feeling like you can't stop eating

• Eating large quantities of food when not hungry

• Feeling disgust with yourself or shame after eating
  

• Eating alone or are secretive about eating
  

• Deals with emotional stress by overeating
  

• Eating much more rapidly than normal Eating until feeling uncomfortably full Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating - See more at: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/new-dsm-5-binge-eating-disorder#sthash.sUbGKlUm.dpufWhat is AnorexiAnorexia Nervosa is a type of eating disorder that is characterized by starvation and excessive weight loss  and can lead to  life-threatening consequences.

What is Anorexia?

Anorexia Nervosa is a mental health condition where a person becomes severely underweight because they restrict their food intake because of a fear of being  fat or weight gain.

Anorexia Symptoms*

• Intense fear of gaining weight or being fat, even though individual is underweight
  

• Losing 15% or more of ideal body weight
  
• Diets or Restricts food even when not overweight
  
• Body Image Distortion (perceives themselves as fat even though they are thin)
  
• Denies being hungry
  
• Preoccupation with food (counting calories, nutrition, cooking)
  
• Hair loss
  
• Self- Denial (denies that they have a problem)
  
• Irregular Menstrual Periods
  
• Excessive exercise
  
• Frequently weighs themselves
  
• May check body in the mirror for weight gain/loss
  

• Evaluates self based on weight
  

• Changes in body temperature (may be cold when it is warm out)

• Tooth Decay
  

• Dry Skin

• Mood Swings

• Anxiety

• Sleep Problems

• Digestive Issues
  

• Infections

• Menstrual periods
  

• Heart Palpitations
  

• Anemia