Food is at the very foundation of our being, giving us nutrition, energy and supporting life. Yet, many have a complex relationship with food which can transform from life-sustaining into something more sinister. For the millions of Americans who deal with an eating disorder, whether they consume too much or too little, food can be problematic.
Common eating disorders affecting Americans today include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. These conditions can cause sufferers to deprive themselves of food and essential nutrients, to overindulge only to purge later, or too consume excessive amounts of food in short periods of time. In all, 1 in 5 women and 10 million American men suffer from such disorders.
Fortunately, proper treatment of eating disorders with a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist has been shown to drastically improve eating disorder behavior, improve quality of life, and even save the lives of patients. With the right mix of physician, therapy, and medication, as many as 60 percent of those suffering from an eating disorder will go on to make a full recovery.
To learn more about eating disorders and how they may be effectively managed, take a look at the infographic below. Then, contact Psychiatry Associates of Baton Rouge to request an appointment with any one of our skilled psychiatric physicians.
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