Eating Disorders
- Home
- »
- Eating Disorders
Access Health Specializes in Comprehensive Eating Disorder Treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a serious eating disorder caused by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food, often rapidly, and to the point of discomfort. When left untreated, BED can lead to serious physical health complications, depression, anxiety, and significant impairment in quality of life.
Access Health Services provides comprehensive, compassionate support to help individuals overcome binge eating patterns and develop a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.
What is a Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge Eating Disorder involves complex patterns of behavior and emotion that can significantly impact physical and mental health. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Recurring episodes of overeating large amounts of food.
- Losing control during binge episodes.
- Eating more quickly than normal.
- Eating until uncomfortably full.
- Eating large amounts when not physically hungry.
- Feelings of shame, disgust, or guilt after binging.
- Eating alone due to embarrassment.
- Significant emotional distress about binging.
- Pattern of emotional or stress eating.
- Difficulty identifying hunger and fullness cues.
What is Anorexia & Bulimia?
Anorexia Nervosa:
- Characterized by extreme calorie restriction, fear of weight gain, and a distorted body image.
- People with anorexia frequently lose substantial weight and become malnourished, which can result in serious health problems like weakened bones, organ damage, and heart problems.
Bulimia Nervosa:
- Individuals with bulimia might appear to be a healthy weight, making the disorder more difficult to identify. However, it can cause severe health problems, such as electrolyte imbalances, digestive issues, and heart conditions.
- Defined by cycles of binge eating followed by purging through vomiting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives.
Who Can Benefit from Eating Disorder Treatment?
- Individuals struggling with binge-eating episodes.
- Those with emotional eating patterns.
- People with food and body image concerns.
- Individuals seeking recovery from BED.
- Those with stress-related eating behaviors.
- People with co-occurring anxiety or depression.
- Those seeking to change their relationship with food.
- Those seeking sustainable lifestyle changes.
How Access Health Services Helps Address Eating Disorders
Therapy and Counseling Sessions
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions focused on understanding triggers and developing healthy coping strategies.
- Group Support: Structured group sessions providing peer support and shared learning experiences.
Specialized Treatment Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Evidence-based techniques for changing thoughts and behaviors around food.
- Mindful Eating Practice: Developing awareness of hunger, fullness, and eating patterns.
- Emotional Regulation: Learning to manage emotions without using food.
Aftercare and Ongoing Support
- Regular Check-ins: Monitoring recovery progress and addressing challenges.
- Skill Reinforcement: Ongoing practice of healthy eating behaviors.
- Relapse Prevention: Strategies for maintaining recovery.
- Support Network: Connection to recovery resources and groups.
- Long-term Planning: Development of sustainable wellness practices.
Benefits of Eating Disorder Therapy
- Reduced Binge Episodes: Decreased frequency and severity of binges.
- Improved Self-Esteem: Greater body acceptance and self-worth.
- Better Emotional Control: Improved ability to manage triggers.
- Better Coping Skills: Healthy alternatives to emotional eating.
- Healthier Relationship with Food: More balanced eating patterns.
- Reduced Anxiety: Less food-related stress and worry.
- Enhanced Self-Awareness: Better understanding of hunger and fullness.
- Better Physical Health: Improved overall wellness.
Eating Disorder Treatment FAQ
How long does BED treatment typically take?
Recovery timelines vary by individual, but most clients begin seeing improvements within 3-6 months of consistent treatment.thin 8-12 weeks, though individual experiences vary based on anxiety severity and type.
Does insurance cover eating disorder treatment?
Many insurance plans provide treatment for eating disorders. Contact Access Health Services or your provider for specific coverage details.
What happens in a BED therapy session?
Sessions typically include exploring triggers, developing coping strategies, addressing underlying emotional issues, and building healthy eating patterns.
How do I start treatment at Access Health Services?
Please contact the clinic to schedule an initial consultation with Asongtia Ntongawah to discuss your concerns and develop a treatment plan.
Is full recovery from BED possible?
Yes, with proper treatment and support, many people achieve lasting recovery from binge eating disorders and develop healthy, sustainable eating patterns.
Dr. Asongtia Ntonghawah, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, is a dual-certified Family and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of nursing experience and over five years as an advanced practice provider. She provides compassionate, evidence-based care for inpatient psychiatry, medical detoxification, outpatient clinics, and community mental health. A graduate of the Goldfarb School of Nursing, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Briar Cliff University, Dr. Ntonghawah is also a Certified Aesthetic Provider and Psychodermatology Specialist and a member of the APNA, AANP, Association for Psychoneurocutaneous Medicine of North America, and the Association of Cameroonian Nurse Practitioners in the U.S.
