Medical

Vision Impairment

Occasionally, night vision will be impaired, because of poor nutrition and decreased amounts of vitamin A in the body. Transient blurred vision, or blurred vision that comes and goes may also be a form of vision impairment with disordered eating. According to The Parent’s Guide to Eating Disorders by Marcia Herrin, EdD, MPH, RD and …

Read More


Thyroid Problems

Thyroid problems are common in people with eating disorders – especially in those with anorexia nervosa. People with eating disorders are at risk for hypothyroidism. In these cases, however, reduced thyroid function may be an adaptation to malnutrition and, therefore, some experts think that only the eating disorder should be treated, not hypothyroidism. It may …

Read More


Syrup Of Ipecac

By Angie Best-Boss, Contributing Writer “Before you take another spoonful of ipecac, before the eating disorder takes over your life, please stop. Before you can’t focus on anything but the need to become smaller and smaller, before your skin turns grey and prone to infection, your hair starts to fall out and there is no …

Read More


Seizures

The increased risk of seizures in people with anorexia and bulimia may be caused by dehydration. Seizures are sometimes described as surges of electricity within the brain) Seizures can also be caused by hyperglycemia or ketoacidosis. Even people without eating disorders can have problems regulating blood sugar when faced with starvation. The blood sugar will …

Read More


Salivary Glands

In people with bulimia, repeated vomiting may sometimes causes the salivary glands to swell. Also known as sialadenosis, when the salivary glands swell, it causes the jaw to widen and appear squarish. Specialists report that salivary glands do not swell unless a patient is vomiting several times a day. No one is exactly sure why …

Read More


Renal Problems

Renal problems, or kidney damage, is a potentially serious, even life-threatening concern for people with eating disorders. Renal problems are usually due to dehydration and may be worsened by the use of diuretics. Ketoacidosis is an example of potential renal problems in people with eating disorders. It is a state which involves high levels of …

Read More


Medication Abuse

By Angie Best-Boss, Contributing Writer Medication abuse is common in those struggling with eating disorders. Laxatives, syrup of Ipecac, diuretics and diet aids are all over the counter medications frequently used and abused in people living with anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa. Medication abuse can take many forms. Diuretics may be used as a weight-loss …

Read More


Laxative Abuse

By Angie Best-Boss, Contributing Writer People with eating disorders abuse laxatives because they incorrectly believe they can remove food from their bodies before the calories are absorbed. Often people with eating disorders are constipated because the small amount of food they eat does not provide enough bulk to stimulate regular bowel movements. Since bloating often …

Read More


Diuretic Effects

By Angie Best-Boss, Contributing Writer Diuretics are tablets designed to reduce fluid in people who suffer from fluid retention. Anorexics and bulimics abuse them in order to achieve temporary weight loss. Diuretic abuse, as well as causing dehydration, can lead to fluid retention and weight gain. In an attempt to adjust to the diuretic effects, …

Read More


Diet Aids

By Stefanie Lein “Even magazines whose sole purpose is to show us how to treat our bodies better, stuff their pages with diet pills and ads, giving us the option of either listening to their latest exercise regime, or finding the quick fix in a supplement pill. Everywhere I look, I keep getting the message …

Read More


Eating Disorder Self Test. Take the EAT-26 self test to see if you might have eating disorder symptoms that might require professional evaluation. All answers are confidential.

Find a Treatment Facility Near You

Click on a state below to find eating disorder treatment options that could be right for you.

Where do calls go?

Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser: ARK Behavioral Health, Recovery Helpline, Alli Addiction Services.

By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.

CALL NOW FOR IMMEDIATE HELPCALL NOW FOR IMMEDIATE HELP800-776-3990Response time about 1 min | Response rate 100%
Who Answers?