THE CRC GUIDE TO EATING DISORDERS

An introduction to the most common forms of eating disorders, with essential information about causes, risk factors, and treatment options. An excellent starting

point for anyone who is struggling with an eating disorder, or who suspects that someone they love is in danger.

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Introduction Eating disorders are life-threatening mental illnesses characterized by an obsession with food and weight. These disorders are more common in women than men and typically start in adolescence, though their effects can be seen across all ages, races and genders.

Genetics and emotional and psychological issues are at the root of many eating disorders. In addition, our society’s thirst for thinness and unrealistic ideals of beauty, lead many to develop low self-esteem and a negative body image.

Because of the urgency of the risks associated with eating disorders, getting high-quality eating disorder treatment early on is the best way to combat the mental and physical consequences of these devastating mental illnesses.

The purpose of this e-book is to provide a comprehensive introduction to eating disorders – including definitions, causes, risk factors, and treatment options – for individuals who are struggling with a disorder themselves or who are worried about a loved one.

This e-book is organized into the following sections:

Contents

Anorexia Nervosa ……………………………………………… Pages 2-4 Bulimia Nervosa ………………………………………………… Pages 5-6

Binge Eating Disorder ……………………………………….. Pages 7-8

Compulsive Eating ……………………………………………… Pages 9-10

Other Eating Disorders ………………………………………. Pages 11-13

Eating Disorder Treatment ………………………………… Page 14

Appendix A: Residential Treatment Programs ….. Pages 15-16

Appendix B: About Us ……………………………………….. Page 17

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Anorexia Nervosa Perhaps the most widely recognized eating disorder, anorexia nervosa (commonly referred to as “anorexia”) is a dangerous and potentially deadly disorder that causes afflicted individuals to starve themselves in misguided attempts to achieve their distorted image of “thinness”.

The disorder is marked by extreme weight loss and an unwillingness to maintain a level that health professionals would consider to be even minimally normal for the person’s age, gender, and height. Though it primarily affects teenage girls and young women, anorexia can also occur in men and boys.

Individuals who suffer from anorexia become fixated on body shape and weight, and regardless of how emaciated they become, they remain convinced that they are “fat.” Though they will often attempt to hide the effects of their disorder by withdrawing from friends and family, or by wearing baggy clothing, they actually view their self-starvation as a successful imposition of self-discipline – and any weight gains as personal failures.

Anorexic individuals employ a variety of techniques to control their weight. The following are four of the most common measures anorexics take to avoid gaining even the slightest bit of weight:

Refusing to eat foods that they believe to be high in calories or fat. Restricting their diet to small amounts of a select number of low-calorie foods. Bingeing (eating a large amount of food in a short period of time), then immediately

purging (expelling the food from their bodies by taking laxatives or forcing themselves to vomit).

Refusing to eat in the presence of others (to avoid calling attention to their unhealthy eating habits).

Though anorexia first manifests itself as a mental disorder, the malnutrition that results from the condition can inflict significant damage on sufferers’ physical and emotional health. The following are among the possible effects of anorexia:

Cardiac disease –The most common cause of death in individuals who are suffering from severe cases of anorexia.

Bradycardia – A dangerous slowing of the heart rate that results from self-starvation.

Brain Damage – Brain scans of anorexic patients have noted changes in brain structure as well as abnormal activity in parts of the brain. Some of this damage is reversible once an individual resumes a healthy diet, but certain impairments appear to be permanent.

Dehydration – Can lead to kidney failure, heart failure, seizure, brain damage and death.

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Depression – Physical weakening can exacerbate the body dissatisfaction and self-loathing that are often at the core of anorexia cases. Suicide is believed to be responsible for as many as 50 percent of all anorexia-related deaths.

Hyponatremia – The opposite of dehydration, drinking too much water can cause fluid in the lungs, brain swelling, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and death.

Muscle Atrophy – A body that is deprived of essential nutrients will begin feeding on itself, depleting muscle mass (including heart tissue) in the process.

Though anorexia nervosa can cause severe – even deadly – damage to a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being, the good news about this disease is that, with proper treatment, recovery is possible.

If you suspect that someone you know is struggling with anorexia, do not hesitate to help them get the treatment that they so desperately need.

Causes of Anorexia

It's not known specifically what causes some people to develop anorexia. As with many diseases, it's likely a combination of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors.

Biological – Some people may be genetically vulnerable to developing anorexia. Young women with a biological sister or mother with an eating disorder are at higher risk, for example, suggesting a possible genetic link. Studies of twins also support that idea.

However, it's not clear specifically how genetics may play a role. It may be that some people have a genetic tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance, all traits associated with anorexia. There's also some evidence that serotonin — one of the brain chemicals involved in depression — may play a role in anorexia.

Psychological – People with anorexia may have psychological and emotional characteristics that contribute to anorexia. They may have low self-worth, for instance. They may have obsessive-compulsive personality traits that make it easier to stick to strict diets and forgo food despite being hungry. They may have an extreme drive for perfectionism, which means they may never think they're thin enough.

Sociocultural – Modern Western culture often cultivates and reinforces a desire for thinness. The media are splashed with images of waif-like models and actors. Success and worth are often equated with being thin.

Peer pressure may fuel the desire to be thin, particularly among young girls. However, anorexia and other eating disorders existed centuries ago, suggesting that sociocultural values aren't solely responsible.

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Risk Factors for Anorexia

Although the precise cause of anorexia is unknown, certain factors can increase the risk of developing anorexia, including the following:

Dieting. People who lose weight by dieting are often reinforced by positive comments from others and by their changing appearance. They may end up dieting excessively.

Unintentional weight loss. People who don't intentionally diet but lose weight after an illness or accident may be complimented on their new-found thinness. Reinforced, they may wind up dieting to an extreme.

Weight gain. Someone who gains weight may be dismayed with their new shape and may get criticized or ridiculed. In response, they may wind up dieting excessively.

Puberty. Some adolescents have trouble coping with the changes their bodies go through during puberty. They also may face increased peer pressure and may be more sensitive to criticism or even casual comments about weight or body shape. All of these can set the stage for anorexia.

Transitions. Whether it's a new school, home or job, a relationship breakup, or the death or illness of a loved one, change can bring emotional distress. One way to cope, especially in situations that may be out of someone's control, is to latch on to something that they can control, such as their eating.

Sports, work and artistic activities. Athletes, actors and television personalities, dancers, and models are at higher risk of anorexia. For some, such as ballerinas, ultra-thinness may even be a professional requirement. Sports associated with anorexia include running, wrestling, figure skating and gymnastics.

Media and society. The media, such as television and fashion magazines, frequently feature a parade of skinny models and actors. But whether the media merely reflect social values or actually drive them isn't clear-cut. In any case, these images may seem to equate thinness with success and popularity.

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Bulimia Nervosa One of the more common types of eating disorders, bulimia nervosa – which is often shortened to just “bulimia” – Is a serious condition marked by a repeated pattern of binging (eating large amounts of food in a short period of time) and purging (immediately expelling that food from the body, often by taking laxatives or forcing oneself to vomit.

If left untreated, bulimia can lead to a number of health consequences, including anxiety/panic disorders, heart damage, impaired kidney functions, digestive system damage, and depression. A number of studies have also found that bulimic individuals are increasingly apt to engage in unhealthy, risky behaviors such as self-mutilation, unsafe sex, and drug/alcohol abuse.

As with most eating disorders, bulimia is most prevalent among teen girls and young women – though boys, men, and women of all ages have been known to suffer from the condition. Because the behavior is often accompanied by significant levels of disgust and shame, many bulimics become proficient at hiding their actions, as well as the results of those actions.

Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa

The following are among the most common symptoms associated with bulimia:

An obsession with food, eating habits, weight, and body shape Evidence of purging (for example, disappearing from sight immediately after a meal, or

purchasing enemas, laxatives, and other similar medications). Excessive exercising, extended periods of fasting, or other extreme activities designed to

counter the effects of continued bingeing Continued self-criticism, especially of one’s weight and body shape Isolation, withdrawal, and a pattern of secretive behavior Loss of interest in previously important friends, events, or activities Abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and irregular menstruation Dental erosion and a swelling of the salivary glands Weakness, lethargy, and depression Constant complains of being cold, even in warm environments

As with other forms of eating disorders, the causes of bulimia nervosa are far from completely understood. Experts attribute the onset of the condition to the interplay of a complex set of internal and external factors, including (but not limited to) depression, impulsive behavior, poor self-esteem, societal pressure, and genetic predisposition.

Physically, many bulimics were once overweight (or at least believed themselves to be overweight), and their disorder began as a misguided attempt to achieve a more acceptable appearance.

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Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa

Depending upon the nature and severity of a person’s affliction with bulimia nervosa, treatment may consist of outpatient therapy, hospitalization, or a stay in a residential treatment facility.

After ensuring that a patient is not in any immediate medical danger as the result of her behavior, treatment often incorporates a variety of therapeutic techniques (including individual counseling, group therapy, and family therapy). Nutrition education is also common, as is the development of an aftercare support network.

Ultimately, the goals of any bulimia treatment program are to eliminate the compulsion to binge and purge and to address any underlying physical, emotional, or social issues that may have been responsible for, or caused by, the development of the eating disorder.

Though bulimia can wreak significant havoc on the lives of sufferers and those who love, care for, and depend upon them, effective treatment can put afflicted individuals back on the path toward healthy self-acceptance and the pursuit of their greatest potential.

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Binge Eating Disorder Individuals who are compelled to eat abnormally large amounts of food – and who find themselves unable to control how much, how often, or how quickly they eat – are often diagnosed as suffering from a binge eating disorder. For these people, neither the lack of hunger nor feelings of being uncomfortably full can force them to stop eating.

These recurring, out-of-control periods of binge eating are often prompted by “triggers” such as feelings of personal disgust, domestic pressures, job-related stress, and social or academic failures (or perceived failures). Binge eaters are often repulsed by their behavior, frustrated by their lack of control, and consumed by guilt both during and after their binges. This shame often leads to secretive behavior, withdrawal from family and friends, and a growing sense of isolation.

Binge eaters who fail to receive effective treatment are at increased risk for developing a number of related consequences, including obesity, depression, panic/anxiety disorders, and other eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

Almost everyone has eaten more than he should at one time or another – but to meet the threshold of binge eating disorder, a person must do so on a recurring basis (at least twice a week for at least six months). Binge eaters also exhibit many of the following symptoms:

Lack of control over the quantity and quality of the food being eaten. Frequent binges even when not feeling hungry. Eating much more quickly than is normal or acceptable. Consuming abnormally large amounts of food, and continuing to eat past the point of

being uncomfortably or even painfully full. Eating alone or in secrecy due to a sense of shame related to the amount and speed

with which one eats. Being disgusted by one’s eating habits – and one’s inability to control or change these

habits.

Causes of Binge Eating Disorder

As with all types of eating disorder, binge eating is caused by a complex set of factors that are not completely understood by health experts. Many binge eaters have histories of depression, impulsive behavior, and other psychological problems, but no definitive causal relationships have been established between these conditions and a tendency to binge beyond one’s control.

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Physically, many binge eaters are overweight or obese, and most have a history of unsuccessful attempts to lose weight – though, as with the conditions enumerated in the previous paragraph, the cause-effect relationship between dieting and binge eating is far from concrete.

Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder

Depending upon the nature and severity of an individual’s binge eating disorder, treatment may consist of outpatient therapy, hospitalization, or a stay in a residential treatment facility. Treatment often follows a three-phase approach: diagnosing and treating any physical problems, addressing underlying emotional/psychological issues, and developing strategies for continued recovery and relapse prevention.

As formerly disordered eaters regain control over their behavior, they build their sense of self-worth and rediscover their ability to form and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with other people, all of which leads to an increased likelihood that they will be able to function as healthy and productive members of their communities.

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Compulsive Eating Disorder Individuals who are afflicted with compulsive eating disorder (which is sometimes also referred to as “emotional eating”) feel that they have no control over when, where, how much, or how often they eat.

Compulsive eaters often experience a great deal of shame due to this condition, which may manifest itself by extremely quick eating, the consumption of large amounts of food, a compulsion to eat even when one is not hungry or already uncomfortably full, or non-stop eating throughout one’s waking hours.

Because of the embarrassment that is associated with this condition, many compulsive eaters will refuse to eat in the presence of others – a practice that unfortunately often serves only to compound and exacerbate their sense of personal isolation.

Some episodes of compulsive eating may be the result of “triggers” such as work-related stress, relationship pressures, academic setbacks, or other failures (both real and imagined). Compulsive eaters use food the way that is evocative of alcoholism or drug addiction – they turn to food in misguided attempts to dull emotional pain, hide from life stresses, and avoid dealing with problems in their personal and professional relationships.

Often (but not always) overweight, compulsive eaters may feel stereotyped by societal attitudes toward individuals with weight problems – which can increase their shame and sense of isolation and intensify the nature of their disorder.

Symptoms of Compulsive Eating Disorder

The primary symptom of compulsive eating disorder is that individuals who have this condition feel that they are incapable of controlling what, how, or how much they eat. Compulsive eaters often eat alone, eat virtually non-stop throughout the day, and consume large quantities of sugary foods (which are craved for the temporary mood elevations they may cause).

Akin to the experience of drug addicts or alcoholics, compulsive eaters can also have withdrawal symptoms – both physical and psychological – when they are unable to eat for even relatively short periods of time.

Causes of Compulsive Eating Disorder

As is the case with the other forms of eating disorders that are explored on this site, the causes of compulsive eating remain somewhat mysterious. Addiction, nutrition, and mental health experts believe that compulsive eaters are prompted to engage in this behavior by a complex series of factors both within themselves and from outside sources. Depression, a tendency

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toward impulsive behaviors, and low self-image can all be contributing factors, as can family history, genetic predisposition, and the impact of societal pressures and life stresses.

Treatment for Compulsive Eating Disorder

Therapy is often the primary component of treatment plans for patients who are suffering from compulsive eating disorder. Depending upon the nature and severity of the condition, treatment may include individual, group, family, and/or marital therapy.

The compulsion to overeat can be a challenging condition to overcome, but therapy that is supplemented by nutrition information, behavior modification techniques, and the establishment of a health support network can help patients to regain control over their lives and pursue considerably happier futures.

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Other Eating Disorders Though anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and compulsive eating are among the most common forms of eating disorders, they are not the only ones that continue to plague men, women, adolescents, and teenagers throughout the world.

The following eating disorders may be lesser known than the ones described in earlier sections of this e-book – but their relative rarity should not be confused with a lack of danger. Anyone who is struggling with any type of eating disorder is in need of immediate professional intervention.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a preoccupation or obsession with a defect (real or imagined) in one’s physical appearance.

Examples of BDD behaviors include obsessing to the point of severe depression (sometimes including thoughts about or attempts at suicide) over physical attributes such as freckles, a large nose, blotchy skin, wrinkles, acne, scarring.

People suffering with BDD may often have a low self-esteem and unreasonable fears of rejection from others due to their perceived ugliness. Some sufferers realize that their perception of the "defect" is distorted, but find the impulse to think about it uncontrollable.

There are two types of Body Dysmorphic Disorder: delusional and non-delusional. The delusional type (in which the person actually has hallucinations of a completely imagined defect, or an imagined gross exaggeration of a small defect), is less common and more severe.

Men and women living with BDD may practice unusually compulsive rituals to look at, hide, cover and/or improve their defect(s). They may spend a great deal of time looking at themselves, and often try to convince others of how ugly they are. They may be compulsive in searching out doctors to treat them with medications and/or plastic surgery.

BDD sufferers may go to great lengths to improve their appearance, including using methods that are dangerous. Some may even attempt their own surgery, or commit suicide.

Orthorexia

Orthorexia Nervosa is an obsession with a "pure" diet, where it interferes with a person's life. It becomes a way of life filled with chronic concern for the quality of food being consumed. When the person suffering with Orthorexia Nervosa slips up from wavering from their "perfect" diet,

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they may resort to extreme acts of further self-discipline including even stricter regimens and fasting.

"This transference of all of life's value into the act of eating makes orthorexia a true disorder. In this essential characteristic, orthorexia bears many similarities to the two well-known eating disorders anorexia and bulimia. Where the bulimic and anorexic focus on the quantity of food, the orthorexic fixates on its quality. All three give food an excessive place in the scheme of life." (Steven Bratman, M.D., October 1997)

As noted by BeyondVeg.com, Orthorexia Nervosa should only be characterized when it meets the following conditions:

Long-term -- Paying attention to healthy food for a few weeks where it becomes a normal and healthy routine not obsessed over, would not be considered a disorder)

Significant negative impact on an individual's life -- Thinking about food is a means of avoiding the stresses of life or negative emotions, or thinking about food occupies the majority of a person’s day.

Food rituals are not better explained by something such as religious rites

Pica

Pica is a widely misunderstood phenomenon. This disorder is defined as a compulsive craving for eating, chewing or licking non-food items or foods of no nutritional value. These can include such things as chalk, plaster, paint chips, baking soda, starch, glue, rust, ice, coffee grounds, and cigarette ashes.

Pica may be linked to certain mineral deficiencies (for example, insufficient iron or zinc).

Pica can be associated with developmental delays, mental deficiencies and/or a family history of the disorder. There may be psychological disturbances that lead to Pica as well, such as conditions in which a child lives in a low-income or poor family, or who lives in an environment of little love and support.

Because of the inherent danger in eating non-food items, it is extremely important that an individual suffering with Pica be evaluated by a doctor, given the correct diagnosis, and treated promptly. The treatment that will follow will depend on the causes of the behavior.

If the compulsion is driven by a vitamin or mineral deficiency, supplements will be prescribed; Examination of the home environment, behavior-modification therapy and psychological treatment may also be needed.

Pica is fairly common in pregnant women and symptoms usually disappear following the birth of the child.

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Complications of pica can include lead poisoning, malnutrition, abdominal problems, intestinal obstruction, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, mercury poisoning, phosphorus intoxication, and dental injury.

Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi Syndrome is a congenital condition (present at birth) and is believed to be caused by an abnormality in the genes that occurs (though statistically it does not seem to run in families). Children born with Prader-Willi Syndrome may have early feeding difficulties that lead to tube feeding, and often have a degree of behavioral and/or mental problems (some severe).

The person with Prader-Willi Syndrome has an insatiable appetite. This can lead to obesity, stealing, and eating pet foods and items that are spoiled.

This continuous appetite is caused by a defect in the hypothalamus -- a part of the brain that regulates hunger -- that causes the person to never actually feel full. There may be sleep disorders and abnormalities, bouts of rage, a higher threshold for pain, compulsive behaviors such as picking at the skin, and even psychoses.

Physical problems associated with Prader-Willi Syndrome can be delayed motor development, abnormal growth, speech impairments, stunted sexual development, poor muscle tone, dental problems, obesity and diabetes type II. The life expectancy of a person with Prader-Willi Syndrome may be normal if weight is controlled.

Sleep Eating Disorder

Sleep Eating Disorder typically falls into the category of sleep disorders, though it is a combined sleep-eating problem. Sufferers tend to be overweight and have episodes of recurrent sleep walking, during which time they binge on usually large quantities of food, often high in sugar or fat. Most often, sufferers do not remember these episodes, putting them at great risk of unintentional self-injury.

Because of the compulsive nature of this illness, sufferers are at the same physical health risks as those of Compulsive Overeaters with the added risks of sleep walking. It is not uncommon to find a person suffering to be anxious, tired, stressed and angry.

It is important to be aware that throughout life, during positive and negative stress periods, people may experience eating and/or sleep pattern problems. If either or both of these conditions persist or interfere with daily life, then it is important to identify the underlying cause(s) of the problem. Problems with eating and sleeping are defined as usually over/under eating or too much or too little sleep.

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Eating Disorder Treatment Most attempts to treat anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders consist of the following three components:

Restoring the patient to an appropriate healthy weight. Addressing emotional/psychological conditions that may have caused or exacerbated

the eating disorder. Rehabilitating the patient and preparing for long-term recovery

Especially in cases of severe weight loss, the first step in this process is often undertaken in a hospital or residential facility, where the patient’s diet and behavior can be highly structured and closely monitored. Residential care also allows health care professionals to treat medical issues that may have resulted from continued self-starvation.

Among the conditions that would suggest the need for hospitalization or residential care are the aforementioned severe weight loss, extreme bingeing and purging, dramatic metabolic disturbances, psychosis, and high risk of suicide.

Once the disordered eater’s weight begins to improve, treatment staff can then begin to address issues such as poor self-image, negative self-esteem, and the distorted thought pattern that prompted the development of the eating disorder. Psychotherapy is a common and effective technique during this phase, and family involvement is often encouraged.

To reduce or eliminate the likelihood that a patient will return to previous unhealthy eating behaviors, many treatment plans involve nutrition education, psychosocial intervention, and instruction in the proper use of appropriate medications.

Depending upon the nature of each eating disorder patient, individual, group, family, and marital therapy sessions may be advised, and psychotropic medications (particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) have proved to be beneficial.

Because many people with eating disorders fail to recognize that their behavior is unhealthy, resistance to treatment is far from uncommon – and continued emotional support may be the crucial component of successful, relapse-free recovery.

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Residential Treatment Programs

For many people who are struggling with an eating disorder, effective treatment requires comprehensive care and round-the-clock supervision. For these individuals, the optimal treatment option is likely to be a residential treatment program. In addition to providing a safe, secure, and nurturing environment in which patients can heal from the devastating impact of eating disorders, residential programs also provide a wide range of support services, including nutritional education, family support, and the development of effective transition plans and continuing care opportunities. The following are among the nation’s most renowned and respected residential eating disorder treatment programs for men, women, and teenagers.

Carolina House 176 Lassiter Homestead Road – Durham, North Carolina 27713

www.carolinaeatingdisorders.com 919-372-7951

Carolina House is a residential treatment center in Durham, North Carolina, for women suffering from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder that combines medical care, psychiatry, psychotherapy and dietary interventions. Located in a beautiful craftsman style farmhouse and surrounded by 10 acres of forest, Carolina House provides a beautiful, safe and nurturing environment in which women can heal.

Center for Hope of the Sierras 3740 Lakeside Drive, Suite 201 – Reno, Nevada 89509

www.centerforhopeofthesierras.com 775-828-4949

Center for Hope of the Sierras provides an intimate setting ideal for healing and recovery for individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and related disorders. Center for Hope offers residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient treatment to women and adolescents. Center for Hope offers one of the country’s only specialized residential tracks for the complex treatment of co-occurring diabetes and eating disorders. Highly individualized and compassionate treatment is provided by team of professionals who specialize in the treatment of eating disorders.

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Life Healing Center 125 Vista Point Road – Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506

www.life-healing.com 800-989-7406

The Life Healing Center takes an individualized approach to the treatment of emotional trauma, mental health disorders and various forms of addiction. Life Healing Center has been providing comprehensive, integrative residential treatment for trauma resolution and addictive disorders for more than 15 years. Located in the hills above Santa Fe, New Mexico, the LHC facility treats the whole person – body, mind and spirit.

Montecatini 2524 La Costa Avenue – Carlsbad, California 92009

www.montecatinieatingdisorder.com 760-436-2657

Montecatini is an eating disorder treatment program for women that provides individualized treatment at residential, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient levels of care. The eating disorder specialists at Montecatini have been providing holistic, multidisciplinary treatment that incorporates medical management, psychiatric care, individual, group and family therapy, and nutrition counseling for more than 20 years

Sierra Tucson 39580 S. Lago del Oro Parkway – Tucson, Arizona 85739

www.sierratucson.com 800-842-4487

The internationally recognized Eating Disorders Program at Sierra Tucson comprehensively treats eating disorders for males or females who suffer from anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive overeating/binge eating disorder. Sierra Tucson’s full integrative approach cares for the body, mind, and spirit and treats coexisting diagnoses such as depression, trauma, and chemical dependency.

The Victorian 505 29th Street – Newport Beach, California 92663

www.eatingdisordertreatment.com 800-647-0042

The Victorian is a world-renowned, Victorian-style facility for the treatment of women with eating disorders and co-existing substance abuse issues in Newport Beach, California. Staffed by the best clinical experts in the field, The Victorian is an intimate and caring place for women to stop their anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and compulsive overeating, identify the causes of their self-destructive behaviors, and forge a pathway to change.

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About Us

The majority of the information in this e-book was adapted from two websites:

Anorexia Nervosa Treatment (http://www.anorexia-nervosa-treatment.com)

Something Fishy (www.something-fishy.org)

Anorexia Nervosa Treatment is an treatment-based site with information on the most common types of eating disorders. Something Fishy is the world’s most popular eating disorder-related site, featuring not only a wealth of information, but also active support forums for individuals who are struggling with eating disorders as well as for family members and survivors.

These two sites, and the six residential treatment programs listed in the previous section, are proud members of CRC Health Group, the nation’s premier provider of behavioral healthcare services.

Offering the nation’s largest array of personalized treatment options, CRC enables individuals, families, and professionals to choose the most appropriate setting for their behavioral, addiction, weight management, and therapeutic education needs.

CRC Health Group is deeply committed to making its services widely and easily available to those in need, while maintaining a passion for delivering the most advanced treatment available.

For more about CRC Health Group visit www.crchealth.com or call (877) 637-6237.