Develop a Healthier Relationship With Food Through Therapy for Disordered Eating in Naperville, IL

Do you feel a loss of control when you're around food? Do you skip meals or rigidly restrict your food intake? Are you consumed with thoughts about your body shape or your weight?

Struggling with disordered eating can be devastating, taking a toll on both your physical and emotional well-being. At Natural Motivations, Inc., we offer compassionate, evidence-based therapy for disordered eating to help individuals in Naperville, Illinois, develop a healthier relationship with food and themselves. Whether you are dealing with restrictive eating, binge eating, or unhealthy food-related behaviors, our experienced therapists provide the support and tools necessary for lasting change.

Is Disordered Eating the Same Thing as an Eating Disorder?

Many people are aware of what an eating disorder is, but disordered eating may sound less familiar. Disordered eating is not a diagnosis but rather a phrase used to describe a range of problematic eating behaviors. The signs and symptoms of disordered eating are similar to those of an eating disorder, although they will vary with frequency and severity.

While disordered eating may not result in the extreme symptoms seen in a diagnosable eating disorder, it has the potential to negatively impact a person's life. For example, someone with disordered eating may miss work, school, or personal events because of anxiety or discomfort around food, or because of an obsessive exercise routine. Their obsession with food and exercise may affect their ability to focus or concentrate, impacting their performance at work or school. Disordered eating also puts the individual at high risk of developing an eating disorder.

When Does Disordered Eating Become a Problem?

Without intervention, disordered eating can lead to serious mental and physical health issues. If you find yourself struggling with:

• Frequent dieting or obsessive calorie counting
• Rigid food restriction or skipping meals
• Feeling anxiety, guilt, or shame about certain foods or food in general
• Obsessive exercising, or exercise to "punish" for overeating
• Binging and/or purging
• Self-worth or self-esteem because of your weight or body shape and weight
• Feeling out of control around food

… then you may be suffering from disordered eating. And if that’s the case, it’s a good idea to seek counsel from a mental health professional before things get worse. What causes people to engage in harmful eating habits can be complex, and vary per the individual.

How Therapy for Disordered Eating Can Help

Individual therapy can help people examine their past to understand what led to these behaviors and learn to accept and love themselves as they are. You can also work together with a therapist to create healthier habits and develop coping mechanisms for difficult cues or triggers. Disordered eating therapy at Natural Motivations, Inc. focuses on addressing the root causes of unhealthy behaviors while fostering self-awareness, self-compassion, and balanced eating habits. Using approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based strategies, we help clients identify triggers, challenge negative thoughts, and develop sustainable coping mechanisms.

If you or a loved one is struggling with disordered eating, you don’t have to face it alone. a licensed therapist can help you create healthier habits for your body and mind. Our team at Natural Motivations, Inc. in Naperville, IL, is here to support your journey toward self-acceptance. Schedule a consultation and take the first step!