Anorexia
Eating Disorder Treatment
Anorexia Nervosa: When Food Restriction Takes Over Everything
At BALANCE, we understand the grip that anorexia nervosa can have on you or your loved one’s life—distorting thoughts, amplifying fears, and disrupting your relationship with food and body image.
This life-threatening disorder transcends stereotypes and can impact individuals from all backgrounds, breeding an unhealthy obsession with food, eating, and weight. Although this disorder is often portrayed in the media as affecting one type of person, people from all walks of life experience anorexia.
At BALANCE, we offer a sophisticated and comprehensive anorexia eating disorder treatment that addresses the complex interplay of factors contributing to anorexia, setting the stage for a harmonious and sustained recovery.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS FREEDOM: RECLAIM CONTROL
Understanding Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa, commonly referred to as anorexia, involves severe food restriction and an intense fear of gaining weight.
Recognizing both typical and atypical forms of anorexia, we understand that this disorder extends beyond dieting and low body weight—it is a serious brain disorder influenced by neurological, biological, and psychological factors.
DESPITE ITS CHALLENGES, RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE, AND WE’RE HERE TO GUIDE YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
Recognizing Signs of Anorexia
Effective treatment begins with understanding the specific type of anorexia affecting you or your loved one.
BALANCE addresses both the restricting type—characterized by severe reduction of food intake and sometimes excessive exercise—and the binge/purge type, which involves periods of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors.
Anorexia Signs and Symptoms
From a distorted body image to obsessive control over food, the signs of anorexia are diverse. Our team is ready to provide a comprehensive assessment and support if you or a loved one exhibits symptoms such as social withdrawal, rapid weight changes, or persistent fatigue. Early intervention is crucial for successful recovery.
- Distorted perception of body image
- Overwhelming fear of weight gain
- Obsession and fixation on controlling food intake
- Restrictive eating patterns
- Limited food consumption
- Compensation for eating
- Excessive exercise
- Fixation on food, body size, and weight management
- Social withdrawal
- Rapid weight change
- Stunted growth
- Persistent fatigue
- Dizziness or fainting
- Abnormally low blood pressure
- Absence of menstruation
- Consistent feelings of coldness
- Growth of soft body hair on the face and body
- Gastrointestinal discomfort, such as constipation and abdominal pain
- Misrepresenting food consumption and maintaining secrecy around meals
Anorexia is a complicated and nuanced condition if you or a loved one is experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, please reach out for professional support. Early intervention is one of the key determining factors in a successful recovery.
"I have never felt more seen, supported, validated, or accepted in my entire life. BALANCE did not only help me better myself mentally, physically, and emotionally, but I can also confidently say that this saved my life.”
former Balance client
Risk Factors of Anorexia:
What can cause anorexia?
The causes of anorexia are multifaceted, involving genetic, environmental, and psychological elements. From a biological perspective, some may have a genetic predisposition to anorexia, but families and support communities are not necessarily to blame.
Even with a genetic predisposition to anorexia, symptoms may or may not manifest depending on life experiences. Potential triggers for anorexia nervosa include elements like altered brain function, environmental pressures like major life changes, psychological factors, trauma, as well as social and cultural pressure.
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LIFE EXPERIENCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURES CAN TRIGGER SYMPTOMS, BUT WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORT, RECOVERY IS WITHIN REACH.
The Truth about Anorexia
You are not Alone
What does anorexia eating disorder treatment look like?
Anorexia treatment varies depending on the severity of symptoms and can range from individual services to residential.
First and foremost, achieving medical stability is paramount. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening conditions that need to be treated with expert medical attention to prevent long-term side effects, further destabilization, and symptom recurrence.
All types of anorexia lead to various degrees of malnourishment. Malnourishment affects the brain, causing those experiencing anorexia to have difficulty thinking clearly, processing new information, and achieving emotional regulation.
Simply put, brains cannot maintain recovery if they are malnourished.
It is very difficult to build new neural networks, embrace life-changing habits, and achieve emotional regulation when medical stability is compromised.
Working with an expert team means that you or your loved one can achieve medical stability more rapidly and experience relief from anorexia. It’s also worth mentioning that medical stability looks different for everyone.
NOT EVERYONE EXPERIENCING ANOREXIA NEEDS TO WEIGHT-RESTORE
Medical stability looks like normal lab results, vitals, and weight within a biologically appropriate range.
Learn More About Anorexia
What does anorexia eating disorder treatment at BALANCE look like?
At BALANCE, we’re committed to providing integrated and holistic outpatient treatment for anorexia.
Our treatment plans for anorexia vary based on client needs and can range from individual nutrition or counseling services to our day treatment program.
We work closely with our clients to offer a flexible schedule, blending therapeutic groups, nutritional counseling, and an intuitive eating approach.
CLIENTS EXPERIENCE A DYNAMIC SCHEDULE OF GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL SERVICES
In our flexible Day (PHP), weekday or evening (IOP), and Saturday programs, clients experience a dynamic schedule of groups and individual services that helps cultivate resilience and integrate new coping tools, supporting a stable and enriching life beyond the disorder. Each client also works with our compassionate dietitians, who craft individualized meal plans and challenge strict food rules.
By combining individualized attention, group therapies, and evidence-based practices, clients can greatly reduce or eliminate anorexia in their lives.
Your Recovery Team
THERAPIST
Gain new skills and support with group and family therapy
DIETITIAN
Question limiting food rules with expert dietetic support
PSYCHIATRIST
Experience tailored medical guidance
RECOVERY COACH
Connect with a compassionate peer mentor
ADMISSIONS SPECIALIST
All of your billing, insurance and treatment plan questions answered
Reach Out to Begin Your Journey at BALANCE
It starts with connection
FIND RELIEF TODAY
Our eating disorder anorexia treatment focuses on building insight, learning emotional regulation, developing a peaceful relationship with food, while creating a purposeful life.
Enhance your treatment by progressing through our continuum of care, designed to taper support as you gain autonomy and prevent relapse.
FAQ
BALANCE offers a range of treatment options for Anorexia, including individual therapy, individual dietetic services, and flexible programs ranging from a stand-alone Saturday treatment option to our weekday PHP. We tailor our treatment approach based on each client’s specific needs. Contact our team with specific questions about how BALANCE can support you or your loved one.
The first step is to contact our admissions team by scheduling a free consultation. They will be able to best advise you on the next steps.
At BALANCE, we specialize in outpatient services and do not offer inpatient programs. However, we work with a vast network of specialists and can provide referrals as needed.
The duration of treatment varies greatly depending on the individual’s specific needs and progress. Our mission at BALANCE is to support clients in living a life free from eating disorder symptoms at a pace that works best for their recovery.
Yes, family involvement is often crucial for recovery. We offer a friends and family group as a part of our programs to help families support their loved ones.
At BALANCE, we focus on a holistic approach that addresses not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes of Anorexia. As a private, uniquely dietitian-owned and led treatment center, we can address eating disorder symptoms in an unparalleled way, combining therapeutic approaches with expert dietetic treatment. Our programs also offer semi-private groups that allow for profound connections and healing to occur.
Our programs are covered by out-of-network insurance benefits. We recommend contacting our admissions team to discuss your specific insurance plan and coverage.
We provide ongoing support through our aftercare programs, which include an alumni group and relapse prevention strategies via individual services.
We view symptom recurrence as part of the recovery journey and offer specialized support to help individuals regain their footing. Whether clients need short-term treatment or individualized support, we are able to help you or your loved one get back on track if symptoms reemerge.
“I have never felt more seen, supported, validated, or accepted in my entire life. BALANCE did not only help me better myself mentally, physically, and emotionally, but I can also confidently say that this saved my life.”
former Balance client
Your Award-Winning Continuum of Care
Experience support that meets you where you are
Flexible and customizable treatment options
The Foundation Of Recovery Starts With Your Confidential Intake.
Our intake process provides expert guidance for determining the best treatment path for you. We strive to take the confusion and overwhelm out of the process.