Therapy for Disordered Eating
What is disordered eating?
Disordered eating represents a range of atypical eating behaviors that may or may not align with symptoms of other eating disorders. Experiencing disordered eating is tiring and individuals suffering from this deserve help.
Sometimes, people who experience disordered eating wonder if they are “sick enough” for treatment. However, if you are struggling with a difficult relationship to food and your body you are 100 percent “sick enough” for treatment and recovery.
Living with disordered eating is exhausting. It can gradually chip away at your happiness and food rules can consume some of your thoughts.
If this resonates with you-we can help!
Our team at The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland has therapists that truly specialize in helping teens and adults to recover from disordered eating and reclaim their lives. Recovery is possible!
We provide therapy for disordered eating in Rockville, Maryland, serving Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and Olney. We also provide therapy for disordered eating virtually throughout Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and California.
We know that part of you may be scared to recover, while part of you desperately wants to be free from this. With specialized therapy geared towards helping you to recover from disordered eating, you don't have to continue to feel so trapped.
Sometimes, people who experience disordered eating wonder if they are “sick enough” for treatment. However, if you are struggling with a difficult relationship to food and your body you are 100 percent “sick enough” for treatment and recovery.
Living with disordered eating is exhausting. It can gradually chip away at your happiness and food rules can consume some of your thoughts.
If this resonates with you-we can help!
Our team at The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland has therapists that truly specialize in helping teens and adults to recover from disordered eating and reclaim their lives. Recovery is possible!
We provide therapy for disordered eating in Rockville, Maryland, serving Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and Olney. We also provide therapy for disordered eating virtually throughout Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and California.
We know that part of you may be scared to recover, while part of you desperately wants to be free from this. With specialized therapy geared towards helping you to recover from disordered eating, you don't have to continue to feel so trapped.
Symptoms of Disordered Eating:
- Rigid routines or rules around food and exercise.
- Frequent dieting or restriction.
- Feelings of guilt and shame around food.
- Obsessing over the nutritional contents of food.
- Fear of gaining weight.
- Spending long amounts of time thinking about food and body image.
- Restricting oneself from food intake to influence weight or body shape.
- Vomiting after eating to influence weight or body shape.
*This is not an exhaustive list of symptoms individuals may experience in relation to disordered eating. This can look different in everyone and you deserve support and freedom in your journey regardless of your symptomatic experience. If you feel like your life has been negatively impacted by food or body image, we are here to help!
So, How Can We Help?
At The Eating Disorder Center we are highly skilled in providing therapy for individuals who are struggling with disordered eating. We will work as part of a treatment team to help you to recover from disordered eating, which may include a physician, dietitian, and/or psychiatrist.
We use evidence-based treatment methods, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and modified FBT treatment. We are Health At Every Size (HAES) informed providers. If there is co-occurring trauma we also offer EMDR therapy for trauma and eating disorders. We enjoy helping clients to heal their relationship to food, their bodies, and themselves.
We pride ourselves on being action-oriented therapists, setting recovery goals, and doing exposures with clients, such as eating meals or snacks together. We value collaboration with other local eating disorder treatment providers. Many of our therapists are also personally recovered from eating disorders.
We are thankful to have helped many people to heal their relationship to food.
We use evidence-based treatment methods, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and modified FBT treatment. We are Health At Every Size (HAES) informed providers. If there is co-occurring trauma we also offer EMDR therapy for trauma and eating disorders. We enjoy helping clients to heal their relationship to food, their bodies, and themselves.
We pride ourselves on being action-oriented therapists, setting recovery goals, and doing exposures with clients, such as eating meals or snacks together. We value collaboration with other local eating disorder treatment providers. Many of our therapists are also personally recovered from eating disorders.
We are thankful to have helped many people to heal their relationship to food.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is disordered eating?
Disordered eating refers to a range of unhealthy eating behaviors or attitudes toward food, weight, or body image that do not meet full criteria for an eating disorder but still cause distress or disruption in daily life.
What are examples of disordered eating?
Examples include chronic dieting, skipping meals, rigid food rules, emotional eating, guilt around food, compulsive exercise, binge-restrict cycles, or labeling foods as “good” or “bad.”
How is disordered eating different from an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are diagnosable mental health conditions, while disordered eating describes behaviors that may be less frequent or severe. However, disordered eating can still be harmful and may progress into a diagnosable eating disorder.
Do I have disordered eating?
If food, weight, or body image concerns are causing stress, guilt, or interfering with your daily life, you may be experiencing disordered eating. A professional assessment can help determine the best next steps.
What causes disordered eating?
Disordered eating often develops from dieting culture, weight stigma, social media influence, stress, trauma, anxiety, or pressure to change one’s body. It is common and not a personal failure.
Is disordered eating dangerous?
Yes. Even without a formal diagnosis, disordered eating can impact physical health, mental well-being, and self-esteem. Early support can help prevent progression and reduce long-term risks.
How common is disordered eating?
Disordered eating is very common and affects people of all ages, genders, and body sizes. Many individuals experience these behaviors at some point, especially in weight-focused or diet-driven environments.
How do I stop disordered eating behaviors?
Stopping disordered eating often involves addressing dieting behaviors, improving body trust, and developing healthier coping skills. Working with professionals trained in eating disorders can provide guidance and support.
How do I help someone with disordered eating?
Approach the conversation with empathy and curiosity rather than judgment. Focus on how their behaviors may be affecting their well-being and encourage professional support when appropriate.
Can disordered eating turn into an eating disorder?
Yes. Disordered eating can progress into a diagnosable eating disorder over time. Early intervention and support can help prevent escalation and promote a healthier relationship with food and body.
Therapy for disordered eating in Rockville, Maryland, Serving Potomac, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Montgomery County. Specializing in helping teens and adults to heal their relationship to food. Therapy for disordered eating in Annapolis, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring and Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Therapy for disordered eating, in Arlington, Virginia. Serving McLean, Vienna, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Leesburg, Purcellville, and Herndon. Specializing in the treatment of disordered eating.