Skip to content

Eating

Eating Disorders

Friends sharing a relaxed home-cooked meal together at a table.

Key takeaways

  • Eating disorders are serious medical conditions, not choices or a lack of willpower.
  • They include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
  • Psychiatric care plus therapy and nutrition referrals helps most people recover.
  • Seek help early — eating disorders affect both body and mind.

What eating disorders look like

Eating disorders are medical conditions, not choices or a lack of willpower. They can involve restricting food, binge eating, or purging, along with intense worry about weight or body image, and they affect people of every age, gender, and background.

How psychiatric care helps

A psychiatric evaluation clarifies what is happening and screens for related concerns like anxiety or depression. Medication management can support recovery, and we coordinate referrals to therapists and dietitians so your care team works together.

Sources: NIMH — Eating Disorders, Mayo Clinic.

Signs & symptoms

  • Strong preoccupation with food, weight, or body shape
  • Restricting food, binge eating, or purging
  • Big changes in weight or eating habits
  • Withdrawing from meals or social eating
  • Low mood, anxiety, or low self-esteem

Causes & risk factors

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), eating disorders affect people of every age, gender, and background and often begin in adolescence or early adulthood.

Causes

  • A combination of genetic, biological, and psychological factors
  • Cultural and social pressures around weight and body image
  • Stressful experiences or other mental health conditions

Risk factors

  • Family history of eating disorders
  • Perfectionism or body-image concerns
  • Dieting, stress, or co-occurring anxiety or depression

Possible complications

  • Serious effects on the heart, bones, and other organs
  • Depression, anxiety, or substance use
  • Medical emergencies if untreated (seek help early)

How it's diagnosed

  • Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
  • Medical and nutritional assessment
  • Screening for co-occurring anxiety or depression

Treatment options

ServiceWhat it's for
Medication ManagementCareful prescribing, monitoring, and adjustment of psychiatric medications to maximize benefit and minimize side effects.
Psychiatric EvaluationA thorough first assessment to understand your history and symptoms and build an accurate diagnosis and plan.

Prevention

  • Early attention to changes in eating or body image
  • Open, supportive conversations about food and weight
  • Prompt care for co-occurring anxiety or depression

When to seek help

If symptoms persist, worsen, or interfere with daily life, a psychiatric evaluation can help. If you have thoughts of suicide, call or text988 now — free, 24/7. In an emergency, call 911.

Frequently asked questions

Can eating disorders be treated?

Yes. Eating disorders are treatable, and recovery is possible. A psychiatric evaluation and medication management can ease symptoms, and we can coordinate therapy and nutrition referrals.

Do you provide the therapy part of eating disorder care?

We provide psychiatric evaluation and medication management, and we coordinate referrals to therapists and dietitians who specialize in eating disorder care.

When should someone seek help for an eating disorder?

If eating, weight, or body image worries are taking over daily life or affecting health, a psychiatric evaluation is a caring and helpful next step.

Related conditions

Sources

Medically reviewed by Irine Achuamang, MSN, PMHNP-BC. Last reviewed June 30, 2026.

This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional care. In crisis? Call or text 988.

View as Markdown ↗

Accepted in-network

Verify your coverage

Takes about a minute. Your details are kept private — nothing is stored on this website.

This is where we'll send your coverage result — and how we reach you if the phone number doesn't connect.

Insurance provider

Provider & Member ID are required — or attach a photo of your card below. Don't have either to hand? Tick the box and we'll look your benefits up for you.

Prefer not to type? Upload your insurance card

Optional — a photo of the front & back is enough. Images stay on your device until you submit.

Private & secure — we never store your details on this site.

By continuing, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy, and consent to our team contacting you by phone or email about your coverage. See our Notice of Privacy Practices for how we protect your health information. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 now.

Please tick the box above to send this for verification. Prefer not to receive texts? Call (818) 286-3862 and we will take your details over the phone.

Request a callback

Leave your number and a real person will call you back — no pressure, no obligation.

By requesting a callback, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy, and consent to us contacting you by phone or email about your request. See our Notice of Privacy Practices for how we protect your health information. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 now.

Please tick the box above to send your request. Prefer not to receive texts? Call (818) 286-3862 and we will take your details over the phone.

Accepting new patients

Request an appointment

Pick a time that suits you and a real person will confirm it — usually within one business day.

When works for you?

These are our next typical openings — pick one and we'll confirm your exact time. Prefer another? Choose your own below.

Type it, or use the calendar.