What to Know About Eating Disorder Treatment in Chicago

Thursday, 08 September 2022 13:22 Written by

Eating disorders aren't uncommon. In fact, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, about 2% of women suffer from anorexia, and about 6% of men experience bulimia nervosa. The good news is that eating disorders can be treated successfully. You just need to know where to look for an eating disorder treatment in Chicago.

If you or someone you love suffers from an eating disorder, we’re here to help you find the most appropriate treatment option for your situation. Here’s what you need to know about seeking treatment near you.

Top Things to Know About Eating Disorder Treatment in Chicago

The first step toward recovery for someone with an eating disorder is admitting they have a problem. Once you've recognized that problem, it's time to seek treatment. There are many different types of eating disorders and levels of severity. Accordingly, there are also a variety of treatment settings available for help, including individual therapy, group counseling, family therapy, and more.

Individual Therapy

This type of treatment involves one-on-one sessions with a specialized therapist who will help you identify the underlying causes of your eating disorder. They’ll help you talk through the issues to get to the root of your disorder and provide guidance on how you can overcome them.

Group Counseling

If you're struggling with an eating disorder, but don't want to go through individual therapy, group counseling may be right for you. You'll meet with other people who are going through similar struggles as you, which can provide peer/social support and encouraging motivation.

Family Therapy

Sometimes, even if you're not struggling with an eating disorder yourself, your loved ones might be both affected by and contributing to your disorder. When this happens, it's important to involve your family members in your treatment plan so that everyone can work together to get better and stronger.

Eating Disorder Treatment Programs

There are also many different types of eating disorder treatment programs that offer both individual therapy and group counseling. These programs often include additional services such as nutritional counseling, exercise classes, and life coaching to help guide your path to recovery. However, it is worth noting that these types of treatment programs are intensive and are not always covered by insurance. They may also be “overkill” for what you need right now.

Benefits of Seeking Eating Disorder Treatment in Chicago

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect a person’s life. They often cause extreme distress, and they may lead to death if left untreated. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner the problem is treated, the better your chances for recovery. Here are some of the ways you can benefit from eating disorder treatment in Chicago:

Get Back on Track

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can have devastating effects on your health and well-being, as well as your relationships and career. If you don’t seek help for your symptoms, they can become worse over time. Therapeutic interventions are often effective at helping people recover from anorexia or bulimia, and it can also help those who struggle with binge eating disorders. With the right treatment, you can get back on track.

Learn New Skills

In order to successfully treat an eating disorder, you must learn new strategies for dealing with stressful situations and triggers for the behaviors. This includes learning how to deal with urges to overeat, purge, or starve yourself. It also means learning how to cope with stressors like social anxiety, depression, and relationship problems.

Learn More About Your Condition

When you first start treatment, your doctor will likely ask you questions about your eating habits and behaviors. By talking openly about these things, you can gain insight into what triggers your disordered thoughts and feelings. This information can help you develop coping skills and avoid future episodes.

How Can Wellington Help?

We live in a society where we can easily become obsessed with looking good at any cost. With unrealistic societal expectations and diet cultures disguised as “wellness,” people are bombarded by a false perception of perfection. Because of this, body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders are becoming increasingly common. These conditions may manifest physically, but they often represent a treatable problem in the mind and brain, too, making them challenging to overcome alone. Thankfully there are ways to deal with this complicated issue.

At Wellington Counseling Group, we have multiple psychotherapists and counselors on staff who have sought out training in the treatment of eating disorders. We’ll craft a customized treatment plan to guide your path to recovery and help you stay on track with a healthier lifestyle. We also have an extensive network of colleagues throughout the area and we never hesitate to connect our patients to the best setting for their needs when that is not with us.

Schedule an appointment today and see how Wellington Counseling Group can help you.