Eating Disorders

RCBM is dedicated to educating and helping those suffering from all types of eating disorders. In addition, we have a Certified International Association of Eating Disorders (iaedp) Specialist on staff along with other highly trained specialists in eating disorder treatment. You can rest assured knowing that we are deeply invested in assisting you or your loved ones on the road to recovery. There are many different types of eating disorders. Eating disorders are generally defined as a persistent disturbance in eating behaviors that impairs health or psychosocial functioning. 

At RCBM, we provide a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Our eating disorders treatment team will work closely with you to develop an individualized treatment plan to guide you to recovery. 

Some facts about eating disorders:

  • Eating disorders are increasing among diverse ethnic and sociocultural communities, despite beliefs that this only affects affluent, Caucasian teens.
  • Eating disorder behaviors in individuals who are over-concerned with body image are ways to physically manifest a severe inner struggle.
  • Eating disorders affect over 30 million people in the United States.
  • Eating disorders are coping mechanisms that individuals have created to manage difficult experiences or feelings.
  • Eating disorders frequently co-exist with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance use, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, or anxiety disorders.
  • Eating disorders have the highest mortality of any psychiatric diagnosis.

The following eating disorders we currently treat at RCBM:

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is a particular type of eating disorder that is associated with weight loss, excessive exercise and restricting food to the point of starvation. Those who suffer from anorexia typically have a skewed body image and never think they are thin enough. This drives their motivation for weight loss and diet to an unhealthy obsession that is never satisfied. Anorexia nervosa may lead to serious medical complications.


Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia is an eating disorder that is associated with binging on large amounts of food and then purging. It is a vicious cycle of indulging and self-loathing. Bulimia can do serious physical damage to the body and should start treatment as soon as it’s been discovered. The cycle of losing control over food is a common theme with bulimia and is also perpetuated by the desire maintain a certain weight along with body image concerns. Like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa may lead to serious medical complications.


Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating is a type of eating disorder that stems from bouts of extreme over-eating, in a rapid amount of time, which moves to loss of control over food intake followed by physical distress, guilt, shame and/or disgust. It differs from "overeating," which does not cause characteristics described with binge eating. Typically, people who binge eat are using this as a coping mechanism to deal with stress, anxiety or depression. Getting to the root of the problem is essential to help individuals recover from binge eating disorder. However, the treatment for binge eating disorder is NOT weight loss as focusing on weight will fuel the eating disorder and underlying trauma that is often the root of binge eating disorder. Normalizing eating patterns is the key to managing binge eating disorder, which in turn can aid in achieving health goals.


Other Specified Eating or Feeding Disorders (OSFED)

Individuals with OSFED commonly present with disturbed eating habits, a distorted body image, overvaluation of body shape and weight, and an intense fear of gaining weight. OSFED is the most common eating disorder diagnosed for adults as well as adolescents and affects both males and females. Some examples of OSFED include: Bulimia Nervosa or Binge Eating Disorder of low frequency and/or limited duration; Atypical Anorexia Nervosa, where an individual has restrictive behaviors and other symptoms of anorexia, however, they do not meet the low weight criteria; Purging Disorder: A person has recurring episodes of purging without binge eating; Night Eating Syndrome: A person has recurrent episodes of night eating. The night eating isn’t better explained by other factors.


Avoidant Food Intake Restrictive Disorder (ARFID) 

ARFID does not involve any distress about body shape or size, or fears of fatness. Both children and adults may be diagnosed with ARFID. Although many children go through phases of picky or selective eating, a child with ARFID does not consume enough calories to grow and develop properly and in adults, it results in difficulty to maintain basic body function. ARFID can also result in problems at school or work due to difficulties eating with others and extended times needed to eat. An eating or feeding disturbance may include lack of interest in eating or food, avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of food, and concern about aversive consequences of eating as manifested by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional and/or energy needs, along with compromised physical issues.


Inner Door Center® Eating Disorders Treatment Program

RCBM and its medical director, Joel Young, MD, is proud to carry on the legacy and offer the Inner Door Center®'s Eating Disorders Treatment Program. The Inner Door Center® continues to be a dedicated program to improving the quality-of-life experience for our patients and promoting patient-centered care through evidence-based treatment, measurable outcomes, and team collaboration between disciplines.

Ekaterina Malikov, RDN, MPH discusses eating disorders in this video and how our program can help.


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