PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

Eating Disorders

* Eating disorders are most common in females, but do occur in males more at a greater frequency than ever before due to the pressures placed on individuals to meet unrealistic societal and peer impressions of what “looks good”. Diagnosing an Eating Disorder will involve testing and interviews with the individual suspected of having the disorder and significant others in the individual’s life. Eden Counseling Center therapists work closely with physicians and other professionals to help the individual develop a healthy sense of self and a healthy physical self. The two most common eating disorders are typically seen in teens and pre-teens and these are Anorexia and Bulimia. Adults can also experience the pain of eating disorders and need treatment for both the psychological and physical components of the disorder. Both of these are very dangerous disorders and can have life long consequences if not treated effectively and as early in the course of the disorder as possible.
There are a number of other disorders that relate to eating that affect infants and children. Any time that you feel that you or a family member may be a victim of an eating disorder it is wise to seek out professional assessment to determine what course of treatment is needed.

If you have questions about Eating Disorders and would like information regarding an assessment for yourself, a friend or family member, contact us and our qualified staff will be glad to assist you in beginning the process of getting help.

* Please note that this information is not intended for use as a method for diagnosing any psychological disorder and is intended to be used only as a general guideline by individual’s accessing this website for personal use. No inference of diagnostic criteria is implied and any self-diagnosis is emphatically discouraged.

A psychiatric referral is available for medication or inpatient care.
Eden Counseling Center therapist work with a number of primary care physicians and psychiatrists to ensure that if and when treatment may call for medication, you can receive the appropriate referral for as assessment by a medical doctor. We do not have control over the choices that the medical doctor makes regarding medication use or choice, but we do work closely with them to fully communicate the problems as we see them and make suggestions for medications as appropriate. Management of the medication is handled through the prescribing medical professional. It is important to the therapy process that your therapist be informed about any medications you are taking and any changes to medications. For that reason, your therapist will ask you for updates on how the medication is working for you and if you have experienced any changes mentally, physically or emotionally. It will also be important for your therapist to be able to communicate with your medical professional so that everyone is working together to help you get better. You will be asked to sign a release of information form that allows the Eden therapist to talk with your doctor. You should also sign a similar form at your doctor’s office that will allow her/him to speak to your therapist.