Eating disorders are serious and pervasive health concerns that impact millions of women worldwide. While these conditions can affect anyone irrespective of age, race, or gender, they disproportionately affect women. At Casa Capri, we’re committed to understanding, treating, and supporting those battling these debilitating disorders. This guide will shed light on the most common eating disorders among women, including their characteristics, treatments, and affected demographics. We’ll also dive into body image, emotional eating, and co-occurring disorders.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image that leads to self-imposed starvation and excessive weight loss.
Characteristics: Obsession with dieting and calorie intake, distorted body image, extreme thinness, fear of weight gain, and lack of menstruation.
Treatment: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-based treatment, nutritional counseling, and sometimes medications.
Demographics: Anorexia nervosa often starts in the teenage years and is more common among women. While anorexia can affect women of all races and ethnicities, some research suggests it’s more prevalent among White women.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is defined by recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting, fasting, or over-exercising to prevent weight gain.
Characteristics: Frequent episodes of binge eating, use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting or intense exercise, regular bathroom trips after meals, and feelings of guilt or shame.
Treatment: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and sometimes medications.
Demographics: Bulimia typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood and is more common among women. It affects women across all racial and ethnic groups.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
BED is characterized by regular episodes of extreme overeating and feelings of loss of control. Unlike bulimia, these episodes are not followed by compensatory behaviors.
Characteristics: Eating large amounts of food rapidly, eating when not hungry, eating alone due to embarrassment, and feeling disgusted or guilty afterward.
Treatment: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and sometimes medications.
Demographics: BED affects women slightly more than men. According to the National Institutes of Health, “About 1.25% of adult women and 0.42% of adult men have binge eating disorder. About 1.6% of teens aged 13 to 18 years old are affected.”
Common Features of Eating Disorders
Body image concerns are often at the core of eating disorders. Many women with these conditions have an intense dissatisfaction with their bodies, leading to unhealthy behaviors around food and exercise.
Emotional eating, or the tendency to eat in response to negative emotions rather than hunger, is another common feature of many eating disorders. While everyone may emotionally eat from time to time, it becomes problematic when used as a primary coping mechanism.
Co-occurring disorders like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, are also common among women with eating disorders. These additional mental health conditions can exacerbate the eating disorder, making comprehensive and integrated treatment essential.
Treatment and Recovery at Casa Capri
Treatment for eating disorders requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the physical, psychological, and social aspects of these conditions. At Casa Capri, we offer tailored treatment programs designed to meet each woman’s unique needs.
Our trained therapists will use a blend of the following modalities to create the perfect individualized program for you based on your unique and specific needs:
- CBT & TRAUMA RESOLUTION
- PSYCHIATRY & MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
- EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY
- CASE MANAGEMENT
- FAMILY SYSTEMS
- CULINARY ARTS CLASSES FACILITATED BY OUR LICENSED NUTRITIONIST
- FITNESS
- DBT
- BREATHWORK & BODY MOVEMENT
- SOUNDBATHS
- SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
- PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
- EQUINE THERAPY
- ROCK TO RECOVERY
- PSYCHODRAMA
- EMDR
- SOMATIC THERAPY
We believe in the power of healing and the potential for recovery in every woman. If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, reach out to us at Casa Capri. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team is here to support you on your journey towards recovery.
