Your relationship with food and your body can become a source of constant worry. Eating disorders are serious but treatable, and recovery is possible with the right support.
An eating disorder can quietly take over—rules around food, guilt after meals, hours spent thinking about weight or shape. It can affect people of any age, gender, body size or background, and it is never simply a choice or a phase.
At Calmora, we offer compassionate, evidence-based care for children, teens and adults, working with you, your family when appropriate, and your medical team to support both your physical and emotional health.
What is an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions marked by persistent disturbances in eating and in thoughts and feelings about food, weight and body image. They often develop alongside anxiety, depression, perfectionism or trauma, and can become a way to cope with emotions that feel too big to manage.
Because they affect the body as well as the mind, eating disorders can lead to medical complications, even in people who look healthy. That’s why care usually involves a team: a therapist, a medical provider and often a registered dietitian.
Approaches such as enhanced CBT (CBT-E), family-based treatment for younger clients, and DBT skills can help restore a more peaceful relationship with food and your body.
When to seek help for an eating disorder
Recognizing the early signs and why acting early matters
Reach out if you notice rigid food rules, skipped meals, bingeing, purging or compulsive exercise, or if thoughts about food and weight take up much of your day. Eating disorders are often easier to treat before habits become entrenched. Fainting, chest pain or rapid weight change need prompt medical attention; in an emergency, call 911.
Book a free 15-minute consultation for yourself or your child to talk through options.
Types of eating disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa involves restricting food intake, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted view of body size or shape. It can cause serious medical problems and calls for careful, coordinated care. With early, specialized treatment, many people recover and rebuild trust with food.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa involves repeated episodes of binge eating followed by attempts to compensate, such as vomiting, laxative use, fasting or excessive exercise. People with bulimia often keep it hidden and may be at a typical weight. CBT-E is a well-studied, effective treatment approach.
Binge-Eating Disorder
Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the US. It involves recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food while feeling out of control, followed by shame or distress, without regular purging. Therapy addresses the cycle of restriction, emotions and bingeing with compassion.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) involves limiting the amount or variety of food eaten—not because of body image, but due to sensory sensitivities, fear of choking or vomiting, or little interest in eating. It’s common in children and can affect growth and nutrition.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) describes serious eating disorders that don’t fit a single category, such as atypical anorexia, purging disorder or night eating syndrome. OSFED is just as real, and just as deserving of treatment, as any other eating disorder.
Disordered Eating
Not every struggle with food meets the criteria for a diagnosis. Chronic dieting, rigid “clean eating,” compulsive exercise or persistent body dissatisfaction can still cause real distress. Therapy can help you step out of these patterns before they become more serious.
