Eating disorder counselling in North Dorset

Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia are very common. Often unrecognised they can be life threatening if not treated appropriately.

Each year about 600,000 britons aged between 10 and 20 suffer from anorexia and around 2,500,000 people aged 16 - 25 suffer from bulimia.

One of the main characteristics of an eating disorder is an obsession with the size and / or shape of your body often centered around weight. When the obsessive thoughts increase this can lead to severe consequences in your health.

although research shows that females are much more likely to develop anorexia and bulimia than males, this is not the case with over-eating disorders, in which both sexes are equally affected.

What are the symptoms of an eating disorder?

• Feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety or loneliness
• Dramatic loss or gain of weight over fairly short period of time.
• Obsession with weight, calories and fat content of foods.
• Loss of sexual desire
• Mood swings, Depression and tiredness
• Insomnia or poor sleeping habits
• Suicidal thoughts
• Obsessing about food and body image
• Fear of eating while others are around
• Unusual Food rituals and secretive eating patterns
• Hiding of food or eating in secret

Eating disorders - Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that is an obsession with weight loss. The results of which result in refusal to eat. It is not simply loss of appetite but a serious perception disorder.

Affecting around 200,000 people, if you feel that you are suffering from this condition, you are not alone.
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Eating disorders - Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa is a serious psychological eating disorder that is also life threatening if not treated. People suffering from Bulimia live in constant fear of gaining weight and use unnatural ways to rid the body of food, such as: intense exercise, laxatives or self-induced vomiting.

Eating disorders - Binge Eating

Binge-eating Disorder is not as well known as anorexia or bulimia, but still affects millions of men and women and often goes un-noticed. Frequently eating large amounts of food, feeling unable to control what is being consumed results in gaining weight.

Only recently recognised as a disorder, binge eating is the most common of all of the eating disorders, affecting over 3 million of british adults. Sufferers are usually obese but people of a healthy weight can also be affected. People that suffer from binge eating turn to food to comfort themselves when they are feeling sad, often resulting in feelings of guilt and shame, which in turn requires comfort and hence the cycle continues.

What causes an eating disorder?

An eating disorder can be caused by other issues, such as depression anxiety or stress. Whilst these psychological issues are masked by the eating disorder they are often the root cause. Shaftesbury Counselling doesnt just treating the eating disorder, but all the issues that affect the person.

Coping with an eating disorder

Start to find the real you - just click here to email us, or telephone the number at the top of the screen to make an appointment with us. You can discuss your issues with us in quiet and confidential surroundings at our therapy rooms in shaftesbury.