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Eating disorders are about more than food and body image. They often involve complex emotional and psychological factors that can be challenging to overcome alone. With discreet, convenient telehealth care, VP MindCare provides eating disorder support from Anchorage, Alaska. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Vanja Pumpalovic, NP, and the team take a personalized approach to help you understand the cause of your eating disorder and set you on a path toward health and recovery. Call today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that are about more than food. They involve unhealthy behaviors and thoughts related to eating, weight, and body image. If you have an eating disorder, you may obsess over food, restrict your eating, binge eat, or engage in behaviors like purging or over-exercising.
With telehealth care, VP MindCare can provide responsive, discreet support for eating disorders. The team works with you to identify triggers, learn coping skills, and establish healthy behaviors surrounding food and body image.
Are there different types of eating disorders?
There are multiple types of eating disorders, but the most common are:
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a mental health condition where you restrict your food intake. It can warp your body image, making you feel like you need to lose weight even when you don't. This distorted self-image may cause you to develop an intense fear of gaining weight. Without treatment, anorexia can lead to serious health problems, including malnutrition.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa leads to episodes of binge eating, where you eat large amounts of food in a short period and feel out of control. You may then try to compensate for these episodes through unhealthy behaviors like vomiting, using laxatives, or excessive exercise. Bulimia nervosa can also have serious health consequences, including digestive system and tooth damage.
Binge-eating disorder
This disorder involves frequent episodes of eating large amounts of food, often rapidly and to the point of discomfort. You may feel guilty or ashamed about your eating habits and hide it from others.
How are eating disorders treated?
The VP MindCare team leverages a combination of therapies to treat eating disorders, such as:
Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you identify and change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors related to food, weight, and body image. With CBT, you can learn to challenge negative beliefs and develop healthier coping strategies.
Nutritional counseling
Working with an experienced medical professional at VP MindCare can help you develop a balanced eating plan and learn to have a healthier relationship with food.
Medication
In some cases, medication may help manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions that co-occur with the eating disorder.
Recovery from an eating disorder is possible with the right support and treatment.
Call VP MindCare today or schedule an appointment online to receive supportive eating disorder care.