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What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that involve an intense focus on food, body shape and weight as a way to manage difficult emotions and situations. Despite their different symptoms and patterns, all eating disorders share a common thread: a need to control food to cope with emotional distress.

These conditions can cause significant psychological and physical harm, leading to intense distress and having the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder.

Common types of eating disorders include:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Avoidant/Restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
  • Binge eating disorder (BED)

Find out more about our therapy for eating disorders in Guildford and online by getting in touch and booking your free 15-minute consultation.

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Signs of Eating Disorders

Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
  • Skipping meals, avoiding food or eating very little
  • Uunhealthy fixation with calorie counting, dieting and weight loss
  • Lying about food intake
  • Intense fear of gaining weight
  • Distorted body image, seeing oneself as overweight despite no physical evidence
  • Obsessive thoughts about food, eating habits and body size
  • Excessive and strict exercise regime
  • Misuse of laxatives, diet pills and appetite suppressants
  • Physical symptoms such as bloating, dizziness, poor circulation, fatigue and constipation

If left untreated, anorexia nervosa can severely damage both mental and physical health due to malnutrition and excessive dieting. In severe cases, it can lead to organ failure and even death.

Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
  • Preoccupation with body weight and shape
  • Episodes of binge eating followed by purging
  • Strong feelings of guilt and shame
  • Using laxatives, diet pills or inducing vomiting after meals
  • Feeling a lack of control over food intake and portion sizes
  • Excessive exercise to prevent weight gain

Bulimia Nervosa can have damaging physical effects as well, including tooth enamel erosion, gastrointestinal issues, dehydration, acid reflux and tooth decay. Those with bulimia also have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

Symptoms of ARFID

Avoidant/Restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is most commonly observed in infants and children, although it can persist in adulthood if left untreated.

Some of the symptoms include:

  • Sudden refusal to eat or difficulty eating meals
  • Fear of choking or vomiting
  • Weight loss or failure to gain weight
  • Little or no appetite
  • Slow eating, particularly when eating with others
Symptoms of BED

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) shares some symptoms with bulimia nervosa, particularly episodes of binge eating.

Those with BED may:

  • Display a lack of control in food intake
  • Eat even when they are not hungry
  • Feel distressed, ashamed or regretful after eating

However, an important distinction from bulimia nervosa is that binging episodes are not followed by purging or other compensatory behaviours.

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WHEN TO SEEK HELP?

Our expert team treat eating disorders daily from our online clinics and in our eating disorder therapy clinic in Guildford, Surrey.

There is no shame in asking for help. If you find that any of the signs above resonate with you, it might be time to talk to a mental health professional. As with any health condition, seeking help is essential if your symptoms interfere with your daily life.

Some signs that you need to seek help for an eating disorder include:

  • Frequent thoughts about body shape, size or weight
  • Persistent worry about food and eating habits
  • Using food to manage emotions
  • Restricting food intake, binge eating or purging
Meet Our Team

TREATMENT WE OFFER

At Dr Jo Gee Psychotherapy, we provide evidence-based treatment for eating disorders and work with you every step of the way. We offer online psychotherapy for eating disorders and CBT for eating disorders in Guildford, Surrey.

Our team of experts is dedicated to providing effective support throughout your recovery process.

Our standard approach to treating eating disorders is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Some of the benefits of using CBT for eating disorders include:

  • Practical tools to manage symptoms and behaviours
  • Improved self-perception and a healthier relationship with food
  • Replacing harmful habits with positive coping mechanisms
  • Structured, short-term therapy compared to other treatments
  • Flexibility to combine with other treatments, including medication
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Ready to book your appointment? Please press the button below to see our online availability. Can’t see what you need, then don’t hesitate to send a message via the contact form below or call or email our offices.

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Whatever your current struggle, we’re here to help.

We offer online psychiatry, psychology, counselling and psychotherapy appointments. Contact us for a free 15-minute phone discussion to ask any questions you might have.

Online Sessions

Many of our appointments can be conducted online if that’s preferable or easier for you.

Face-to-Face Sessions

For clinic appointments, we work from 3 Saxton Parklands, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 9JX.

Clients visit us from several nearby locations, including Addlestone, Aldershot, Ashford, Bisley, Camberley, Chertsey, Chobham, Cobham, Cranleigh, Dorking, Egham, Epsom, Esher, Farnham, Farnborough, Fleet, Godalming, Guildford, Haslemere, Horley, Horsham, Kingston, Leatherhead, Lightwater, Oxshot, Redhill, Reigate, Richmond, Send, Shere, Staines-upon-Thames, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surbiton, Virginia Water, Walton-on-Thames, West End, Weybridge, Windlesham and Woking.

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    Guildford

    GU2 9JX

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    Guildford Therapy Rooms

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    Guildford

    GU2 9JX

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