Get personalized care for eating disorders
Behavioral and mental health specialists at Ascension sites of care deliver compassionate support and advanced care for eating disorders.
Experiencing an eating disorder can be difficult to manage alone and should not be ignored. Primary care doctors and mental health professionals at Ascension sites of care are here to help. If you are concerned about how you feel and your relationship with food or concerned about a loved one, it’s OK to ask for help. Talk to your doctor about how you feel, and your doctor will work with you on a care plan or connect you with the right specialists and behavioral and mental health services.
Signs of an eating disorder include symptoms such as overeating then throwing up, limiting nutritious foods to the point of starvation, and a preoccupation with weight. Having an eating disorder may include feelings of:
- Low self-esteem
- Negative thinking
- Obsessions
- Perfectionism
Comprehensive care for eating disorders
Primary care doctors, pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists deliver compassionate, personalized care for you or loved one’s physical and emotional health. And your doctors are part of a national team of care providers and mental health specialists, sharing best practices and research. Your doctor can also connect you to advanced care for anxiety-related eating, depression, and all types of eating disorders, including:
- Anorexia nervosa – an eating disorder associated with an intense fear of weight gain, even if you are underweight.
- Binge eating disorder– craving and eating large amounts of foods faster than normal and often in isolation.
- Bulimia nervosa – an abnormal daily eating pattern of food binges, purging and a feeling of guilt or fear.
When you or a loved one need more care, a dedicated eating disorder treatment program may be recommended. Registered dietitians and mental health professionals work with you to help you develop a healthier relationship with food. Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and one-on-one counseling help support your overall treatment and recovery plan. Your doctor and care team delivers care that is customized for your needs – from residential programs to outpatient individual and group therapy.
Advanced care for children and teens with eating disorders
If your child has been diagnosed with an eating disorder, they may need ongoing and specialized care. At Ascension sites of care, eating disorder treatment programs are personalized for the needs of children and teenagers. Your child’s care team focuses on helping your child feel comfortable, safe and supported throughout their treatment and recovery. And your child’s pediatrician and our mental health professionals work together to provide the care for your child’s physical and mental health.
Care for anxiety and disordered eating
Stress, chronic illness and extreme dieting can affect your appetite and your relationship with food. And feeling anxious can trigger an emotional response that affects your eating habits. This condition is called disordered eating and may include symptoms and behaviors of an eating disorder, including compulsive eating, irregular eating patterns and restricting the amount of food you eat. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling and about changes in your eating habits. Your doctor is here to help you manage your care and symptoms for anxiety. Your doctor can also connect you to the right mental health specialists for more advanced care.
24/7 care for a mental health emergency
Quickly recognizing the signs that you or a loved one is experiencing moderate to severe mental or emotional distress is the first step in getting necessary care. For emergencies, including severe mental health distress and suspected substance overdose, ERs at our hospitals are open 24/7.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or dial 911.
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
No matter what problems you're dealing with, if you need someone to lean on for emotional support, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org/chat.
Confidential | Free | Available 24/7
Connect with trained crisis counselors | Available call or text
If you or a loved one is experiencing an immediate life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.