Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that interferes with maintaining an adequate weight. It is a psychological condition, in which individuals restrict food and obsessively control weight in order to stay thin, as it is believed that thinness equals self-worth. These individuals often have a distorted sense of body image or even body dysmorphic disorder . Though this condition most often affects young girls and women, it can occur in anyone. Many individuals with anorexia nervosa often also struggle with depression , anxiety , social anxiety , obsessive-compulsive disorder , and may have a history of trauma or PTSD . Individuals with anorexia may try to lose weight through starvation, exercising excessively, or vomiting. 

Warning signs of anorexia nervosa may include: 

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that interferes with maintaining an adequate weight. It is a psychological condition, in which individuals restrict food and obsessively control weight in order to stay thin, as it is believed that thinness equals self-worth. These individuals often have a distorted sense of body image or even body dysmorphic disorder . Though this condition most often affects young girls and women, it can occur in anyone. Many individuals with anorexia nervosa often also struggle with depression , anxiety , social anxiety , obsessive-compulsive disorder , and may have a history of trauma or PTSD . Individuals with anorexia may try to lose weight through starvation, exercising excessively, or vomiting. 

Warning signs of anorexia nervosa may include: 

Trauma is an event that can shatter our sense of confidence and contradict our current view of the world.

Additionally, trauma can cause stress. However, stress refers to experiences that are providing a consistent psychological and emotional burden. 

Several different interventions have been developed to treat trauma. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can teach an individual to become more aware of their thoughts and beliefs. Another cognitive method, cognitive processing therapy (CPT) can help individuals to reprocess the meaning of the traumatic event in a more helpful way. Exposure therapy can sometimes be used to reduce the amount of fear associated with emotional triggers related to a traumatic experience. Additionally, body-oriented approaches such as mindfulness , yoga, EMDR, and sensorimotor psychotherapy can be helpful in aiding the reconnection between mind and body. 

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, you may have experienced trauma. Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help. 

Acute Stress Disorder can occur following the experience of a traumatic event. Acute Stress Disorder is similar to PTSD, except that symptoms last for no longer than one month.

Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder can include:

When left untreated, symptoms of trauma may worsen and develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Complex PTSD for those who have experienced repeated traumas. Other types of trauma related psychological concerns include acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and reactive attachment disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa