Eating Disorders

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Finding Help for Eating Disorders

Many people go on a diet to lose weight. Sometimes dieting turns into an unhealthy relationship with food.

Eating disorders are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences. Sanford Health's Eating Disorders Program will help you regain control of your life and overcome those consequences.


What is an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders are abnormal eating habits that negatively impact your health.

Though there are a few types of eating disorders, people suffering from eating disorders often share the following traits:

  • Low self-esteem
  • Fear of “getting fat”
  • Intense dislike or unhappiness with their body
  • Feelings of helplessness, anxiety, or depression

There are three main eating disorders:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Binge eating

While the above names refer to three specific behaviors, people with disordered eating do not fall rigidly into one group. Often, someone with an eating disorder displays behaviors from all three of these categories.


Treatment for Eating Disorders

Getting help for an eating disorder is not easy. Every person’s triggers are different, and the idea of facing your illness may feel overwhelming. At Sanford Behavioral Health, we want to offer compassion and support.

We will help you find a treatment plan based on your needs.


Find Eating Disorder Help

We can help you get you back on the path to physical and emotional well-being.

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Find a Sanford Health location that offers treatment for eating disorders near you.

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How Well Do You Know Eating Disorders?

People with eating disorders don't often know they are ill, or they hide their condition. Because of this, they might not get treatment. Find out how much you know about eating disorders.

Take the Quiz

Understand Compulsive Overeating

Compulsive overeating, also known as binge eating, can start gradually. It's an eating disorder that leads you to eat large amounts of food quickly, even after you're full. While many people binge eat occasionally, compulsive overeating means bingeing twice a week for at least six months. Learn these and other facts about compulsive overeating.

Read More

Get the Facts on Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa, also known as anorexia, makes you obsess about your food. If you have this eating disorder, you might have a warped body image. You might see yourself as fat even if you have dangerously low weight. Learn the basics about causes and treatments for anorexia.

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Watch for Eating Disorders in Young Athletes

Sports can have many benefits for kids. But sometimes, being on a team that focuses on performance and looks can have a negative effect. It might even trigger an eating disorder. Parents can be the first line of defense against eating disorders. Learn about the relationship between sports and eating disorders, and know what you can do.

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Hope and Help During Struggles

Outward appearance can hide eating disorders like bulimia. Those who struggle can be any age, size or gender, but are often young women of healthy to slightly below average weight. Bulimia involves uncontrollable eating, called binging, followed by either:

  • Purging through vomiting, laxatives and other diuretics
  • Nonpurging through excessive exercise or not eating

Every person's triggers and motivations differ. Yet, the fears and anxiety are real. Over time, bulimia leads to serious physical problems matching the emotions the person has continually felt, such as malnutrition and organ damage.

The first step is the hardest, but let us offer compassion, understanding and an individualized plan.

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