Overview

Eating disorders are serious behavioral health conditions that often have devastating physical health consequences. Individuals who severely restrict their caloric intake, or engage in compensatory behaviors like self-induced vomiting often experience increased mortality due to extreme stress caused to the various organs of the body.

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by restricting food intake, resulting in significantly lower body weight than appropriate for an individual’s age and physical health. Individuals with anorexia nervosa experience an intense fear of gaining weight, in addition to a distorted body image.
Bulimia nervosa involves episodes of binge eating, characterized by a feeling of lack of control. Binge eating episodes are followed by compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, or excessive exercise. Compensatory behaviors are designed to avoid weight gain as a result of the binge eating episode.
How CBT Can Help

CBT therapists educate clients about their diagnosis and about CBT, help them set goals, and teach essential thinking and behavioral skills. CBT techniques for eating disorders focus on the thoughts and beliefs that lead to the disordered eating, as well as emphasize behavior changes that promote healthy eating and reduce compensatory behaviors. CBT therapists identify thoughts and beliefs that contribute to over-valuation of body shape and weight, and work with clients to evaluate and change their negative self-image. 

Finding a Therapist

Our clinician directory can help you find a competent and compassionate certified CBT therapist near you. 

Find a Therapist

If you are in crisis or in need of immediate assistance, please make use of the below resources or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. 

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988

Crisis Text Line: 741741