The CRC Guide to Eating Disorders

THE CRC GUIDE TO
EATING DISORDERS
An introduction to the most common forms of eating disorders, with essential
information about causes, risk factors, and treatment options. An excellent starting
point for anyone who is struggling with an eating disorder, or who suspects that
someone they love is in danger.

Introduction
Eating disorders are life-threatening mental illnesses characterized by an obsession with food
and weight. These disorders are more common in women than men and typically start in
adolescence, though their effects can be seen across all ages, races and genders.

Genetics and emotional and psychological issues are at the root of many eating disorders. In
addition, our society’s thirst for thinness and unrealistic ideals of beauty, lead many to develop
low self-esteem and a negative body image.

Because of the urgency of the risks associated with eating disorders, getting high-quality eating
disorder treatment early on is the best way to combat the mental and physical consequences of
these devastating mental illnesses.

The purpose of this e-book is to provide a comprehensive introduction to eating disorders –
including definitions, causes, risk factors, and treatment options – for individuals who are
struggling with a disorder themselves or who are worried about a loved one.

This e-book is organized into the following sections:

Contents
Anorexia Nervosa ……………………………………………… Pages 2-4

Bulimia Nervosa ………………………………………………… Pages 5-6

Binge Eating Disorder ……………………………………….. Pages 7-8

Compulsive Eating ……………………………………………… Pages 9-10

Other Eating Disorders ………………………………………. Pages 11-13

Eating Disorder Treatment ………………………………… Page 14

Appendix A: Residential Treatment Programs ….. Pages 15-16

Appendix B: About Us ……………………………………….. Page 17

1

Anorexia Nervosa
Perhaps the most widely recognized eating disorder, anorexia nervosa (commonly referred to
as “anorexia”) is a dangerous and potentially deadly disorder that causes afflicted individuals to
starve themselves in misguided attempts to achieve their distorted image of “thinness”.

The disorder is marked by extreme weight loss and an unwillingness to maintain a level that
health professionals would consider to be even minimally normal for the person’s age, gender,
and height. Though it primarily affects teenage girls and young women, anorexia can also occur
in men and boys.

Individuals who suffer from anorexia become fixated on body shape and weight, and regardless
of how emaciated they become, they remain convinced that they are “fat.” Though they will
often attempt to hide the effects of their disorder by withdrawing from friends and family, or
by wearing baggy clothing, they actually view their self-starvation as a successful imposition of
self-discipline – and any weight gains as personal failures.

Anorexic individuals employ a variety of techniques to control their weight. The following are
four of the most common measures anorexics take to avoid gaining even the slightest bit of
weight:

 Refusing to eat foods that they believe to be high in calories or fat.
 Restricting their diet to small amounts of a select number of low-calorie foods.
 Bingeing (eating a large amount of food in a short period of time), then immediately
purging (expelling the food from their bodies by taking laxatives or forcing themselves
to vomit).
 Refusing to eat in the presence of others (to avoid calling attention to their unhealthy
eating habits).

Though anorexia first manifests itself as a mental disorder, the malnutrition that results from
the condition can inflict significant damage on sufferers’ physical and emotional health. The
following are among the possible effects of anorexia:

 Cardiac disease –The most common cause of death in individuals who are suffering
from severe cases of anorexia.
 Bradycardia – A dangerous slowing of the heart rate that results from self-starvation.
 Brain Damage – Brain scans of anorexic patients have noted changes in brain structure
as well as abnormal activity in parts of the brain. Some of this damage is reversible once
an individual resumes a healthy diet, but certain impairments appear to be permanent.
 Dehydration – Can lead to kidney failure, heart failure, seizure, brain damage and
death.

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 Depression – Physical weakening can exacerbate the body dissatisfaction and self-
loathing that are often at the core of anorexia cases. Suicide is believed to be
responsible for as many as 50 percent of all anorexia-related deaths.
 Hyponatremia – The opposite of dehydration, drinking too much water can cause fluid
in the lungs, brain swelling, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and death.
 Muscle Atrophy – A body that is deprived of essential nutrients will begin feeding on
itself, depleting muscle mass (including heart tissue) in the process.

Though anorexia nervosa can cause severe – even deadly – damage to a person’s physical,
mental, and emotional well-being, the good news about this disease is that, with proper
treatment, recovery is possible.

If you suspect that someone you know is struggling with anorexia, do not hesitate to help them
get the treatment that they so desperately need.

Causes of Anorexia
It's not known specifically what causes some people to develop anorexia. As with many
diseases, it's likely a combination of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors.

Biological – Some people may be genetically vulnerable to developing anorexia. Young women
with a biological sister or mother with an eating disorder are at higher risk, for example,
suggesting a possible genetic link. Studies of twins also support that idea.

However, it's not clear specifically how genetics may play a role. It may be that some people
have a genetic tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance, all traits
associated with anorexia. There's also some evidence that serotonin — one of the brain
chemicals involved in depression — may play a role in anorexia.

Psychological – People with anorexia may have psychological and emotional characteristics that
contribute to anorexia. They may have low self-worth, for instance. They may have obsessive-
compulsive personality traits that make it easier to stick to strict diets and forgo food despite
being hungry. They may have an extreme drive for perfectionism, which means they may never
think they're thin enough.

Sociocultural – Modern Western culture often cultivates and reinforces a desire for thinness.
The media are splashed with images of waif-like models and actors. Success and worth are
often equated with being thin.

Peer pressure may fuel the desire to be thin, particularly among young girls. However, anorexia
and other eating disorders existed centuries ago, suggesting that sociocultural values aren't
solely responsible.

3

Risk Factors for Anorexia
Although the precise cause of anorexia is unknown, certain factors can increase the risk of
developing anorexia, including the following:

 Dieting. People who lose weight by dieting are often reinforced by positive comments
from others and by their changing appearance. They may end up dieting excessively.
 Unintentional weight loss. People who don't intentionally diet but lose weight after an
illness or accident may be complimented on their new-found thinness. Reinforced, they
may wind up dieting to an extreme.
 Weight gain. Someone who gains weight may be dismayed with their new shape and
may get criticized or ridiculed. In response, they may wind up dieting excessively.
 Puberty. Some adolescents have trouble coping with the changes their bodies go
through during puberty. They also may face increased peer pressure and may be more
sensitive to criticism or even casual comments about weight or body shape.
All of these can set the stage for anorexia.
 Transitions. Whether it's a new school, home or job, a relationship breakup, or the
death or illness of a loved one, change can bring emotional distress. One way to cope,
especially in situations that may be out of someone's control, is to latch on to something
that they can control, such as their eating.
 Sports, work and artistic activities. Athletes, actors and television personalities,
dancers, and models are at higher risk of anorexia. For some, such as ballerinas, ultra-
thinness may even be a professional requirement. Sports associated with anorexia
include running, wrestling, figure skating and gymnastics.
 Media and society. The media, such as television and fashion magazines, frequently
feature a parade of skinny models and actors. But whether the media merely reflect
social values or actually drive them isn't clear-cut. In any case, these images may seem
to equate thinness with success and popularity.

4

Bulimia Nervosa
One of the more common types of eating disorders, bulimia nervosa – which is often shortened
to just “bulimia” – Is a serious condition marked by a repeated pattern of binging (eating large
amounts of food in a short period of time) and purging (immediately expelling that food from
the body, often by taking laxatives or forcing oneself to vomit.

If left untreated, bulimia can lead to a number of health consequences, including anxiety/panic
disorders, heart damage, impaired kidney functions, digestive system damage, and depression.
A number of studies have also found that bulimic individuals are increasingly apt to engage in
unhealthy, risky behaviors such as self-mutilation, unsafe sex, and drug/alcohol abuse.

As with most eating disorders, bulimia is most prevalent among teen girls and young women –
though boys, men, and women of all ages have been known to suffer from the condition.
Because the behavior is often accompanied by significant levels of disgust and shame, many
bulimics become proficient at hiding their actions, as well as the results of those actions.

Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
The following are among the most common symptoms associated with bulimia:

 An obsession with food, eating habits, weight, and body shape
 Evidence of purging (for example, disappearing from sight immediately after a meal, or
purchasing enemas, laxatives, and other similar medications).
 Excessive exercising, extended periods of fasting, or other extreme activities designed to
counter the effects of continued bingeing
 Continued self-criticism, especially of one’s weight and body shape
 Isolation, withdrawal, and a pattern of secretive behavior
 Loss of interest in previously important friends, events, or activities
 Abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and irregular menstruation
 Dental erosion and a swelling of the salivary glands
 Weakness, lethargy, and depression
 Constant complains of being cold, even in warm environments

As with other forms of eating disorders, the causes of bulimia nervosa are far from completely
understood. Experts attribute the onset of the condition to the interplay of a complex set of
internal and external factors, including (but not limited to) depression, impulsive behavior, poor
self-esteem, societal pressure, and genetic predisposition.

Physically, many bulimics were once overweight (or at least believed themselves to be
overweight), and their disorder began as a misguided attempt to achieve a more acceptable
appearance.

5

Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa
Depending upon the nature and severity of a person’s affliction with bulimia nervosa,
treatment may consist of outpatient therapy, hospitalization, or a stay in a residential
treatment facility.

After ensuring that a patient is not in any immediate medical danger as the result of her
behavior, treatment often incorporates a variety of therapeutic techniques (including individual
counseling, group therapy, and family therapy). Nutrition education is also common, as is the
development of an aftercare support network.

Ultimately, the goals of any bulimia treatment program are to eliminate the compulsion to
binge and purge and to address any underlying physical, emotional, or social issues that may
have been responsible for, or caused by, the development of the eating disorder.

Though bulimia can wreak significant havoc on the lives of sufferers and those who love, care
for, and depend upon them, effective treatment can put afflicted individuals back on the path
toward healthy self-acceptance and the pursuit of their greatest potential.

6

Binge Eating Disorder
Individuals who are compelled to eat abnormally large amounts of food – and who find
themselves unable to control how much, how often, or how quickly they eat – are often
diagnosed as suffering from a binge eating disorder. For these people, neither the lack of
hunger nor feelings of being uncomfortably full can force them to stop eating.

These recurring, out-of-control periods of binge eating are often prompted by “triggers” such as
feelings of personal disgust, domestic pressures, job-related stress, and social or academic
failures (or perceived failures). Binge eaters are often repulsed by their behavior, frustrated by
their lack of control, and consumed by guilt both during and after their binges. This shame
often leads to secretive behavior, withdrawal from family and friends, and a growing sense of
isolation.

Binge eaters who fail to receive effective treatment are at increased risk for developing a
number of related consequences, including obesity, depression, panic/anxiety disorders, and
other eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
Almost everyone has eaten more than he should at one time or another – but to meet the
threshold of binge eating disorder, a person must do so on a recurring basis (at least twice a
week for at least six months). Binge eaters also exhibit many of the following symptoms:

 Lack of control over the quantity and quality of the food being eaten.
 Frequent binges even when not feeling hungry.
 Eating much more quickly than is normal or acceptable.
 Consuming abnormally large amounts of food, and continuing to eat past the point of
being uncomfortably or even painfully full.
 Eating alone or in secrecy due to a sense of shame related to the amount and speed
with which one eats.
 Being disgusted by one’s eating habits – and one’s inability to control or change these
habits.

Causes of Binge Eating Disorder
As with all types of eating disorder, binge eating is caused by a complex set of factors that are
not completely understood by health experts. Many binge eaters have histories of depression,
impulsive behavior, and other psychological problems, but no definitive causal relationships
have been established between these conditions and a tendency to binge beyond one’s control.

7

Physically, many binge eaters are overweight or obese, and most have a history of unsuccessful
attempts to lose weight – though, as with the conditions enumerated in the previous
paragraph, the cause-effect relationship between dieting and binge eating is far from concrete.

Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder
Depending upon the nature and severity of an individual’s binge eating disorder, treatment may
consist of outpatient therapy, hospitalization, or a stay in a residential treatment facility.
Treatment often follows a three-phase approach: diagnosing and treating any physical
problems, addressing underlying emotional/psychological issues, and developing strategies for
continued recovery and relapse prevention.

As formerly disordered eaters regain control over their behavior, they build their sense of self-
worth and rediscover their ability to form and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with
other people, all of which leads to an increased likelihood that they will be able to function as
healthy and productive members of their communities.

8

Compulsive Eating Disorder
Individuals who are afflicted with compulsive eating disorder (which is sometimes also referred
to as “emotional eating”) feel that they have no control over when, where, how much, or how
often they eat.

Compulsive eaters often experience a great deal of shame due to this condition, which may
manifest itself by extremely quick eating, the consumption of large amounts of food, a
compulsion to eat even when one is not hungry or already uncomfortably full, or non-stop
eating throughout one’s waking hours.

Because of the embarrassment that is associated with this condition, many compulsive eaters
will refuse to eat in the presence of others – a practice that unfortunately often serves only to
compound and exacerbate their sense of personal isolation.

Some episodes of compulsive eating may be the result of “triggers” such as work-related stress,
relationship pressures, academic setbacks, or other failures (both real and imagined).
Compulsive eaters use food the way that is evocative of alcoholism or drug addiction – they
turn to food in misguided attempts to dull emotional pain, hide from life stresses, and avoid
dealing with problems in their personal and professional relationships.

Often (but not always) overweight, compulsive eaters may feel stereotyped by societal
attitudes toward individuals with weight problems – which can increase their shame and sense
of isolation and intensify the nature of their disorder.

Symptoms of Compulsive Eating Disorder
The primary symptom of compulsive eating disorder is that individuals who have this condition
feel that they are incapable of controlling what, how, or how much they eat. Compulsive eaters
often eat alone, eat virtually non-stop throughout the day, and consume large quantities of
sugary foods (which are craved for the temporary mood elevations they may cause).

Akin to the experience of drug addicts or alcoholics, compulsive eaters can also have
withdrawal symptoms – both physical and psychological – when they are unable to eat for even
relatively short periods of time.

Causes of Compulsive Eating Disorder
As is the case with the other forms of eating disorders that are explored on this site, the causes
of compulsive eating remain somewhat mysterious. Addiction, nutrition, and mental health
experts believe that compulsive eaters are prompted to engage in this behavior by a complex
series of factors both within themselves and from outside sources. Depression, a tendency

9

toward impulsive behaviors, and low self-image can all be contributing factors, as can family
history, genetic predisposition, and the impact of societal pressures and life stresses.

Treatment for Compulsive Eating Disorder
Therapy is often the primary component of treatment plans for patients who are suffering from
compulsive eating disorder. Depending upon the nature and severity of the condition,
treatment may include individual, group, family, and/or marital therapy.

The compulsion to overeat can be a challenging condition to overcome, but therapy that is
supplemented by nutrition information, behavior modification techniques, and the
establishment of a health support network can help patients to regain control over their lives
and pursue considerably happier futures.

10

Other Eating Disorders
Though anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and compulsive eating are among the most common
forms of eating disorders, they are not the only ones that continue to plague men, women,
adolescents, and teenagers throughout the world.

The following eating disorders may be lesser known than the ones described in earlier sections
of this e-book – but their relative rarity should not be confused with a lack of danger. Anyone
who is struggling with any type of eating disorder is in need of immediate professional
intervention.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a preoccupation or obsession with a defect (real or
imagined) in one’s physical appearance.

Examples of BDD behaviors include obsessing to the point of severe depression (sometimes
including thoughts about or attempts at suicide) over physical attributes such as freckles, a
large nose, blotchy skin, wrinkles, acne, scarring.

People suffering with BDD may often have a low self-esteem and unreasonable fears of
rejection from others due to their perceived ugliness. Some sufferers realize that their
perception of the "defect" is distorted, but find the impulse to think about it uncontrollable.

There are two types of Body Dysmorphic Disorder: delusional and non-delusional. The
delusional type (in which the person actually has hallucinations of a completely imagined
defect, or an imagined gross exaggeration of a small defect), is less common and more severe.

Men and women living with BDD may practice unusually compulsive rituals to look at, hide,
cover and/or improve their defect(s). They may spend a great deal of time looking at
themselves, and often try to convince others of how ugly they are. They may be compulsive in
searching out doctors to treat them with medications and/or plastic surgery.

BDD sufferers may go to great lengths to improve their appearance, including using methods
that are dangerous. Some may even attempt their own surgery, or commit suicide.

Orthorexia
Orthorexia Nervosa is an obsession with a "pure" diet, where it interferes with a person's life. It
becomes a way of life filled with chronic concern for the quality of food being consumed. When
the person suffering with Orthorexia Nervosa slips up from wavering from their "perfect" diet,

11

they may resort to extreme acts of further self-discipline including even stricter regimens and
fasting.

"This transference of all of life's value into the act of eating makes orthorexia a true disorder. In
this essential characteristic, orthorexia bears many similarities to the two well-known eating
disorders anorexia and bulimia. Where the bulimic and anorexic focus on the quantity of food,
the orthorexic fixates on its quality. All three give food an excessive place in the scheme of life."
(Steven Bratman, M.D., October 1997)

As noted by BeyondVeg.com, Orthorexia Nervosa should only be characterized when it meets
the following conditions:

 Long-term -- Paying attention to healthy food for a few weeks where it becomes a
normal and healthy routine not obsessed over, would not be considered a disorder)
 Significant negative impact on an individual's life -- Thinking about food is a means of
avoiding the stresses of life or negative emotions, or thinking about food occupies the
majority of a person’s day.
 Food rituals are not better explained by something such as religious rites

Pica
Pica is a widely misunderstood phenomenon. This disorder is defined as a compulsive craving
for eating, chewing or licking non-food items or foods of no nutritional value. These can include
such things as chalk, plaster, paint chips, baking soda, starch, glue, rust, ice, coffee grounds, and
cigarette ashes.

Pica may be linked to certain mineral deficiencies (for example, insufficient iron or zinc).

Pica can be associated with developmental delays, mental deficiencies and/or a family history
of the disorder. There may be psychological disturbances that lead to Pica as well, such as
conditions in which a child lives in a low-income or poor family, or who lives in an environment
of little love and support.

Because of the inherent danger in eating non-food items, it is extremely important that an
individual suffering with Pica be evaluated by a doctor, given the correct diagnosis, and treated
promptly. The treatment that will follow will depend on the causes of the behavior.

If the compulsion is driven by a vitamin or mineral deficiency, supplements will be prescribed;
Examination of the home environment, behavior-modification therapy and psychological
treatment may also be needed.

Pica is fairly common in pregnant women and symptoms usually disappear following the birth
of the child.

12

Complications of pica can include lead poisoning, malnutrition, abdominal problems, intestinal
obstruction, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, mercury poisoning, phosphorus intoxication, and
dental injury.

Prader-Willi Syndrome
Prader-Willi Syndrome is a congenital condition (present at birth) and is believed to be caused
by an abnormality in the genes that occurs (though statistically it does not seem to run in
families). Children born with Prader-Willi Syndrome may have early feeding difficulties that lead
to tube feeding, and often have a degree of behavioral and/or mental problems (some severe).

The person with Prader-Willi Syndrome has an insatiable appetite. This can lead to obesity,
stealing, and eating pet foods and items that are spoiled.

This continuous appetite is caused by a defect in the hypothalamus -- a part of the brain that
regulates hunger -- that causes the person to never actually feel full. There may be sleep
disorders and abnormalities, bouts of rage, a higher threshold for pain, compulsive behaviors
such as picking at the skin, and even psychoses.

Physical problems associated with Prader-Willi Syndrome can be delayed motor development,
abnormal growth, speech impairments, stunted sexual development, poor muscle tone, dental
problems, obesity and diabetes type II. The life expectancy of a person with Prader-Willi
Syndrome may be normal if weight is controlled.

Sleep Eating Disorder
Sleep Eating Disorder typically falls into the category of sleep disorders, though it is a combined
sleep-eating problem. Sufferers tend to be overweight and have episodes of recurrent sleep
walking, during which time they binge on usually large quantities of food, often high in sugar or
fat. Most often, sufferers do not remember these episodes, putting them at great risk of
unintentional self-injury.

Because of the compulsive nature of this illness, sufferers are at the same physical health risks
as those of Compulsive Overeaters with the added risks of sleep walking. It is not uncommon to
find a person suffering to be anxious, tired, stressed and angry.

It is important to be aware that throughout life, during positive and negative stress periods,
people may experience eating and/or sleep pattern problems. If either or both of these
conditions persist or interfere with daily life, then it is important to identify the underlying
cause(s) of the problem. Problems with eating and sleeping are defined as usually over/under
eating or too much or too little sleep.

13

Eating Disorder Treatment
Most attempts to treat anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders consist of the following
three components:

 Restoring the patient to an appropriate healthy weight.
 Addressing emotional/psychological conditions that may have caused or exacerbated
the eating disorder.
 Rehabilitating the patient and preparing for long-term recovery

Especially in cases of severe weight loss, the first step in this process is often undertaken in a
hospital or residential facility, where the patient’s diet and behavior can be highly structured
and closely monitored. Residential care also allows health care professionals to treat medical
issues that may have resulted from continued self-starvation.

Among the conditions that would suggest the need for hospitalization or residential care are
the aforementioned severe weight loss, extreme bingeing and purging, dramatic metabolic
disturbances, psychosis, and high risk of suicide.

Once the disordered eater’s weight begins to improve, treatment staff can then begin to
address issues such as poor self-image, negative self-esteem, and the distorted thought pattern
that prompted the development of the eating disorder. Psychotherapy is a common and
effective technique during this phase, and family involvement is often encouraged.

To reduce or eliminate the likelihood that a patient will return to previous unhealthy eating
behaviors, many treatment plans involve nutrition education, psychosocial intervention, and
instruction in the proper use of appropriate medications.

Depending upon the nature of each eating disorder patient, individual, group, family, and
marital therapy sessions may be advised, and psychotropic medications (particularly selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors) have proved to be beneficial.

Because many people with eating disorders fail to recognize that their behavior is unhealthy,
resistance to treatment is far from uncommon – and continued emotional support may be the
crucial component of successful, relapse-free recovery.

14

Residential Treatment Programs
For many people who are struggling with an eating disorder, effective treatment requires
comprehensive care and round-the-clock supervision.

For these individuals, the optimal treatment option is likely to be a residential treatment
program. In addition to providing a safe, secure, and nurturing environment in which patients
can heal from the devastating impact of eating disorders, residential programs also provide a
wide range of support services, including nutritional education, family support, and the
development of effective transition plans and continuing care opportunities.

The following are among the nation’s most renowned and respected residential eating disorder
treatment programs for men, women, and teenagers.

Carolina House
176 Lassiter Homestead Road – Durham, North Carolina 27713
www.carolinaeatingdisorders.com
919-372-7951

Carolina House is a residential treatment center in Durham, North Carolina, for women suffering from
anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder that combines medical care, psychiatry, psychotherapy and
dietary interventions.

Located in a beautiful craftsman style farmhouse and surrounded by 10 acres of forest, Carolina House
provides a beautiful, safe and nurturing environment in which women can heal.

Center for Hope of the Sierras
3740 Lakeside Drive, Suite 201 – Reno, Nevada 89509
www.centerforhopeofthesierras.com
775-828-4949

Center for Hope of the Sierras provides an intimate setting ideal for healing and recovery for individuals
suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and related disorders. Center
for Hope offers residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient treatment to women and
adolescents.

Center for Hope offers one of the country’s only specialized residential tracks for the complex treatment
of co-occurring diabetes and eating disorders. Highly individualized and compassionate treatment is
provided by team of professionals who specialize in the treatment of eating disorders.

15

Life Healing Center
125 Vista Point Road – Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506
www.life-healing.com
800-989-7406

The Life Healing Center takes an individualized approach to the treatment of emotional trauma, mental
health disorders and various forms of addiction.

Life Healing Center has been providing comprehensive, integrative residential treatment for trauma
resolution and addictive disorders for more than 15 years. Located in the hills above Santa Fe, New
Mexico, the LHC facility treats the whole person – body, mind and spirit.

Montecatini
2524 La Costa Avenue – Carlsbad, California 92009
www.montecatinieatingdisorder.com
760-436-2657

Montecatini is an eating disorder treatment program for women that provides individualized treatment
at residential, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient levels of care. The eating disorder
specialists at Montecatini have been providing holistic, multidisciplinary treatment that incorporates
medical management, psychiatric care, individual, group and family therapy, and nutrition counseling
for more than 20 years

Sierra Tucson
39580 S. Lago del Oro Parkway – Tucson, Arizona 85739
www.sierratucson.com
800-842-4487

The internationally recognized Eating Disorders Program at Sierra Tucson comprehensively treats eating
disorders for males or females who suffer from anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive overeating/binge eating
disorder. Sierra Tucson’s full integrative approach cares for the body, mind, and spirit and treats
coexisting diagnoses such as depression, trauma, and chemical dependency.

The Victorian
505 29th Street – Newport Beach, California 92663
www.eatingdisordertreatment.com
800-647-0042

The Victorian is a world-renowned, Victorian-style facility for the treatment of women with eating
disorders and co-existing substance abuse issues in Newport Beach, California. Staffed by the best
clinical experts in the field, The Victorian is an intimate and caring place for women to stop their
anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and compulsive overeating, identify the causes of their self-destructive
behaviors, and forge a pathway to change.

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About Us

The majority of the information in this e-book was adapted from two websites:

 Anorexia Nervosa Treatment (http://www.anorexia-nervosa-treatment.com)
 Something Fishy (www.something-fishy.org)

Anorexia Nervosa Treatment is an treatment-based site with information on the most common
types of eating disorders. Something Fishy is the world’s most popular eating disorder-related
site, featuring not only a wealth of information, but also active support forums for individuals
who are struggling with eating disorders as well as for family members and survivors.

These two sites, and the six residential treatment programs listed in the previous section, are
proud members of CRC Health Group, the nation’s premier provider of behavioral healthcare
services.

Offering the nation’s largest array of personalized treatment options, CRC enables individuals,
families, and professionals to choose the most appropriate setting for their behavioral,
addiction, weight management, and therapeutic education needs.

CRC Health Group is deeply committed to making its services widely and easily available to
those in need, while maintaining a passion for delivering the most advanced treatment
available.

For more about CRC Health Group visit www.crchealth.com or call (877) 637-6237.

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The CRC Guide to Eating Disorders

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