Eating Disorders Therapists in Northbrook IL

Are you constantly struggling with compulsive thoughts about food? Do you worry that you may have symptoms of disordered eating? Maybe you have already been diagnosed and are looking for a compassionate therapist near Northbrook, IL, to continue moving forward in your eating disorder recovery.

You are not alone. At SpringSource Psychological Center, we strive to provide the most effective and compassionate care for individuals struggling with eating disorders. Our therapists understand the complexities of living with an eating disorder and are here to support you on your recovery journey. We have years of experience at all levels of care in the treatment of eating disorders. We also provide evidence-based recovery with the often co-occurring symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues.

With new offices in Northbrook, IL, and our flagship location in downtown Chicago, we offer in-person and virtual support. SpringSource Psychological Center is thrilled to have a presence in Northbrook, IL, centrally located to serve Chicago’s North Shore communities. Call us today at 224-202-6260. We would be happy to answer any of your questions and discuss how we can help you start on the path to recovery.

Adult IOP at SpringSource Psychological Center

SpringSource is now accepting referrals for our Adult IOP Program, treating anxiety, mood, and eating disorders. This hybrid group can be attended in person at our Northbrook location or virtually. Learn more about our Adult IOP program here.

Eating Disorders Do Not Discriminate

The stereotype of eating disorders being reserved for skinny young white girls is persistent. We want to yell from the rooftops that eating disorders do not discriminate; they come in all shapes and sizes, all genders, all sexual orientations, all socioeconomic backgrounds, all ages, and all races. For instance, boys and men conservatively comprise 25% of eating disorder cases and are significantly less likely to seek help.

Making matters worse, we are all impacted by the pervasiveness of diet culture, a powerful system that marginalizes anyone who can’t or won’t conform to its narrow set of rules. It promotes comparison culture, prevents authentic connection, and is an isolating factor in people’s lives.

8 Eating Disorder Types Defined

Eating disorders are severe and complex mental health conditions caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. For example, you may be more likely to develop an eating disorder if you have a family member suffering from the same illness. Stress, life transitions, trauma survival, and societal pressures can lead to or exacerbate eating disorders. Dieting is also a risk factor for developing anorexia or bulimia, as the pattern of food restriction and monitoring can quickly become obsessive and hard to moderate.

Though their manifestations differ, eating disorders share common features such as extreme preoccupation with food and persistent worry about body size and shape. These concerns can lead to dangerous behaviors such as intense food restriction, binge eating, or purging, to name a few.

Types of eating disorders are now labeled “Feeding and Eating Disorders” in the DSM-V-TR, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, and pica. Below, you will find a quick description of the DSM-V categories of eating disorders and more, as well as common symptoms to help you determine if reaching out for help may be needed.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to self-imposed starvation resulting in excessive weight loss. Symptoms include employing a highly restricted eating plan, feeling an intense fear of gaining weight, and relentlessly pursuing thinness through food restriction and over-exercising. The individual with anorexia also has a distorted body image and will be in deep denial of the seriousness of low body weight. Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder.

Atypical Anorexia Nervosa

Atypical anorexia nervosa includes all the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa except that, despite significant weight loss, the individual’s weight is within or above the normal range. Symptoms mirror those of anorexia nervosa: restrictive eating, fear of weight gain, and body image distortion, but without the criterion of being underweight.

Atypical Anorexia: You Can’t Tell if Someone Has an Eating Disorder Just by Looking at Them

Bulimia Nervosa

Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise characterize bulimia nervosa. Symptoms include frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food, feeling out of control during binges, using laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain, and Purging behaviors. Individuals with bulimia nervosa consume large quantities of food in short amounts of time and then purge. Even though they are often at a healthy weight, they have a distorted view of their body and are fearful of gaining weight.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder involves repeated episodes of eating large quantities of food, often quickly and to the point of physical discomfort, accompanied by feelings of loss of control and distress. Symptoms include eating much more rapidly than is normal, eating until uncomfortably full, eating large amounts when not physically hungry, eating alone due to embarrassment, and feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty afterward. Individuals with binge-eating disorder are often distressed about weight gain. They may have medical consequences associated with physiological changes, along with psychological stress, shame,  and shouldering societal judgments and discrimination. Do you think you might be experiencing symptoms of binge eating disorder? Take our simple binge eating disorder quiz to find out.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

ARFID is characterized by a restrictive or avoidant pattern of eating that leads to significant weight loss, nutritional deficiency, dependence on supplements, and interference with psychosocial functioning. Symptoms include a lack of interest in eating, avoidance of certain foods based on sensory characteristics, and fear of adverse consequences of eating. Although ARFID is most often seen in childhood and adolescence, it can also occur later in life. It also affects men and women equally. Unlike some other eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, individuals affected by ARFID generally do not have body image concerns and are not trying to lose weight.

Rumination Disorder

Rumination Disorder involves the repeated regurgitation of food, which may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out, and is not due to a medical condition. This can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration. Rumination syndrome is most commonly associated with infants and persons with developmental disabilities.

Pica

Pica is characterized by the persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances. Symptoms include eating items such as dirt, clay, chalk, paper, soap, or hair, and the behavior is inappropriate to the individual’s developmental level and not culturally supported. This condition is most commonly seen in children, pregnant women, and those with co-morbid mental health diagnoses. Pica patients may be more susceptible to food poisoning, infections, stomach injuries, and nutritional deficits. Pica can be lethal depending on the items consumed.

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)

OSFED is a category that includes eating disorders that do not meet the criteria for any specific eating disorder but still cause significant distress or impairment. Symptoms can vary widely but generally involve disordered eating patterns, such as all the criteria for anorexia nervosa without low weight, bulimia nervosa without the frequency of binge/purge episodes, or other significant eating issues that impact health and functioning.

Exploring The Harm Reduction Model And Abstinence Strategies For Help With Eating Disorders–A Nuanced Approach

A Note About Harm Reduction in Eating Disorders

The harm reduction model in the context of eating disorder recovery is an approach that aims to minimize the negative health effects associated with disordered eating behaviors without requiring the complete cessation of these behaviors. The harm reduction approach recognizes that for many individuals, the goal of outright abstinence from disordered eating may not be wanted or immediately achievable and may even be counterproductive.

Leaning into the harm reduction model might mean that complete or ideal weight restoration has not yet occurred. Also, the individual may not reduce exercise patterns as much as we might want optimally. There may be decreased but not total elimination of purging behaviors or laxative use. Ultimately, we are moving toward recovery over time with improved coping skills and an increased ability to tolerate difficult feelings.

A harm reduction approach respectfully meets a person where they are at. Ultimately, the most effective healing approach will vary depending on the individual’s unique circumstances, needs, and readiness for change. At SpringSource, we are ready to provide support and treatment in a safe and non-judgmental environment, no matter where you are on the readiness spectrum.

When to Seek an Eating Disorder Therapist in Northbrook, IL

If you or someone you love is feeling anxious and depressed or starting to develop disordered eating patterns, you should seek professional support. It is important to seek help right away at the first signs of an eating disorder because it is a serious mental illness. If you are experiencing negative body image or disordered eating, it is crucial to seek help from a mental health professional or organization that specializes in eating disorder treatment.

Take your time when choosing a therapist because trust is essential to your therapy’s success. Obtaining an initial consultation can be a great way to see if you feel comfortable speaking with the therapist and can help you decide whether you want to move forward. At SpringSource, we offer free 15-minute initial consultations to answer your questions and determine if eating disorder therapy is right for you.

At SpringSource Psychological Center, we understand the importance of early intervention and treatment for eating disorders. We also believe that it is never too late to receive help. Call us today at 224-202-6260. We would be happy to answer any of your questions and discuss how we can help you start on the path to recovery.

About Northbrook Illinois

Northbrook, Illinois, is a suburban village located approximately 25 miles north of downtown Chicago in Cook County. Known for its blend of residential charm and commercial vitality, Northbrook offers a high quality of life with a mix of urban amenities and suburban tranquility. The village was originally incorporated in 1901 as Shermerville, named after Frederick Schermer, a local landowner, but was renamed Northbrook in 1923 to shed its past and promote a more prosperous image.

One of Northbrook’s key attractions is its excellent educational system, which includes multiple highly rated public school districts. Notably, Northbrook is home to Glenbrook North High School, known for its academic excellence and robust extracurricular programs. The village also has several private schools and is in proximity to renowned higher education institutions in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Northbrook boasts a vibrant community life with numerous parks, recreational facilities, and cultural events. The Northbrook Park District manages a variety of parks, playgrounds, sports complexes, and the Northbrook Sports Center, which offers ice skating and hockey. The village is also home to the Northbrook Theatre, which provides performing arts programs and events for all ages. Additionally, Northbrook Court, a large shopping mall, serves as a major retail hub for the area, featuring a wide array of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.

The village’s economy is supported by a diverse mix of industries, including retail, manufacturing, and corporate offices. Northbrook is home to the headquarters of several major corporations, such as Astellas Pharma, Underwriters Laboratories, and Crate & Barrel. This corporate presence and a thriving local business community contribute to the village’s economic stability and growth.

Northbrook’s transportation infrastructure is well-developed, offering residents convenient access to major highways, Metra commuter rail service, and O’Hare International Airport, making it an attractive location for commuters and businesses alike. The village’s commitment to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and well-planned community continues to make Northbrook a desirable place to live, work, and visit.