Eating Disorder Treatment in Maryland & Washington, D.C.
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that involve extreme and ongoing changes in eating habits, often driven by distressing thoughts and emotions. They affect both physical and emotional well-being, not just food intake. Common types include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, as well as lesser-known ones like pica and rumination disorder.
These disorders often begin in the teen years or early adulthood and can affect anyone, though anorexia and bulimia are more common in women. They’re frequently linked to intense concerns about food, weight, or body image. Behaviors can range from severe food restriction to binge eating or purging, and may feel as compulsive and consuming as an addiction.
Understanding Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are more than just about food—they are serious mental health conditions that affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves around eating and body image. At Forbs Behavioral Health Services, LLC, we understand that these disorders often emerge from a combination of emotional, biological, and environmental factors, and frequently coexist with conditions like depression, anxiety, or substance use.
From adolescents to adults, eating disorders affect individuals across all genders, ethnicities, and body types. Early intervention can make a profound difference—and with the right care, recovery is possible.
Types of Eating Disorders We Treat
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a life-threatening condition marked by extreme food restriction, leading to dangerously low body weight. Individuals often have an intense fear of gaining weight, despite being underweight. Anorexia has two main subtypes:
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Restricting Type: Weight loss is achieved through strict dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise.
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Binge-Eating/Purging Type: Involves episodes of binge eating or purging.
Symptoms include missed menstrual periods, weakness, dizziness, brittle nails, and severe constipation. This disorder can lead to serious complications like heart issues, kidney problems, and bone loss.
Binge Eating Disorder
Individuals with binge eating disorder experience episodes of consuming large amounts of food, often feeling a lack of control during these episodes. Unlike bulimia, there is no purging after binges. This disorder can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart problems. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for binge eating disorder, helping individuals change their eating habits and emotional responses to food.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa involves a cycle of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. Binge episodes are often conducted in secret and lead to feelings of guilt or shame. Physical symptoms may include a sore throat, swollen cheeks, tooth decay, and acid reflux. Bulimia can result in severe health risks, including esophageal tears and dangerous heart conditions.
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID is characterized by restrictive eating habits that result in insufficient nutrition. It goes beyond picky eating, as individuals may avoid certain foods due to sensory sensitivities or fears of adverse reactions like choking. ARFID can cause significant weight loss, malnutrition, and social withdrawal.
Rumination Disorder
Rumination disorder involves the repeated regurgitation of food, which is then re-chewed or spat out. This condition can occur in both children and adults and must persist for at least one month for diagnosis.
OSFED includes disordered eating behaviors that cause significant distress or impairment but don’t meet the criteria for a specific diagnosis like anorexia or bulimia. Examples:
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Atypical anorexia nervosa (significant weight loss without being underweight)
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Purging disorder (without binge eating)
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Subthreshold binge eating or bulimia
These conditions still pose serious medical and emotional risks and deserve full clinical attention.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
Rumination Disorder
This condition involves the repeated regurgitation of food, which may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out. It is not caused by a medical condition or another eating disorder and can:
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Lead to malnutrition or weight loss
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Occur in children, teens, or adults
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Be seen in individuals with developmental disabilities
Diagnosis and treatment require careful clinical evaluation and specialized behavioral intervention.
Take the First Step Toward Better Mental Health in Maryland & D.C.
At Forbs Behavioral Health Services, LLC, we provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health care for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or other mental health challenges, our licensed providers are here to help — both in-person in Frederick, MD and via telehealth across Maryland and Washington, D.C. From psychiatric evaluations and medication management to individual therapy, we’re committed to delivering personalized care that fits your life.
Now accepting new patients — schedule your appointment today and start your path to healing.