Eating Disorders
At Jen Belanger Nutrition we see a multitude of clients including those with eating disorders. If you are worried about a child or a loved one who might be exhibiting signs of disordered eating or an eating disorder please use this page as a resource while also keeping in mind that eating disorders cannot be self-diagnosed. The only way to determine if you or a loved one has developed an eating disorder is to complete a thorough assessment with a qualified healthcare provider.
The DSM-5 is a book published by The American Psychiatric Association of the diagnostic criteria for psychological disorders including eating disorders. Below are the eating disorders that we treat at Jen Belanger Nutrition and a brief description of some behaviors associated with that disorder. If you or a loved one is experiencing these behaviors please reach out and make an appointment by calling our office or by clicking here.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is a disorder categorized by extreme dietary restriction, poor body image, a preoccupation with calories, fats, weight, and dieting. It is often associated with extreme weight loss, over exercise, and a desire to be thin.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa is a disorder categorized by consuming large amounts of food in a short amount of time often in secret and feeling a lack of control around food. Followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative/diuretic usage, or excessive physical activity.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is categorized by consuming large amounts of food in a small amount of time often in secret and a feeling of lacking control around food. There are typically feelings of shame and guilt associated with a binge. There may also be a disruption to normal meal times such as taking smaller portions at meals or engaging in sporadic fasting or dieting.
ARFID
ARFID or Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is a disorder categorized by extreme picky eating, including a limited variety of accepted foods that becomes more narrow over time. Lack of interest in food, consuming small quantities, or fear of choking or vomiting may be present. Most notably the restriction associated with ARFID has nothing to do with a desire to be thin or due to body image concerns, rather restriction related to fear or sensory characteristics of food.
For more information on how Jen would treat ARFID click here.
Family Based Treatment
At Jen Belanger Nutrition we practice using Family Based Treatment. This approach to eating disorder treatment has been shown to result in children with eating disorders gaining weight faster and in a more healthful way than other eating disorder treatment approaches. This approach is where parents are given the job of strictly supervising the child’s eating while also being under the supervision of a mental health or medical professional. With this approach to eating disorder treatment the goal is to keep the child at home during recovery.
Resources
You can learn more about these eating disorders by listening to our podcast episodes including, “What You Need to Know About Binge Eating Disorder”, “Signs of Anorexia and Bulimia”, “A Conversation on Body Image and Body Dysmorphic Disorder” and “ARFID.”
For body image and self-worth handouts click here.
To make an appointment with our office simply call our office at 413.468.0351 or by clicking here.
An additional resource for more information is The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA).
Parent Coaching
In addition to treating eating disorders, Jen also offers coaching for parents of children in eating disorder treatment. These sessions include counseling for parents on how to best support their child through eating disorder recovery following the family based treatment model. Parent coaching is not covered by insurance. The fee for a 1 hour session is $200.