What Is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect how a person thinks about food, eating, weight, and body image. They’re not just about food itself, but about using eating behaviors as a way to cope with difficult emotions, stress, or past trauma. These disorders can disrupt daily life, harm physical health, and impact relationships with others. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), eating disorders are classified as mental disorders and should be treated with the same urgency and care as other health conditions.
Eating disorders can affect people of any age, gender, or background. They often begin in adolescence or early adulthood but can occur at any stage of life. Common warning signs include extreme concern about body weight or shape, distorted eating habits, and emotional distress around food. Early intervention with professional support can make a significant difference in recovery.
Types of Eating Disorders We Treat
At Revitalize Wellness, we provide compassionate and evidence-based care for a range of eating disorders. Our team understands that each disorder comes with its own challenges, symptoms, and recovery process. We create a personalized treatment plan for every client based on their unique needs and goals.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. It involves eating large amounts of food in a short period, often accompanied by a feeling of loss of control. People may eat rapidly, even when they aren’t hungry, and often feel guilt or shame afterward. Binge eating can lead to health issues such as weight gain, diabetes, and depression.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by severe restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. People with anorexia often experience dramatic weight loss and may have a strong need for control over food and eating habits. This disorder can be life-threatening without proper medical and psychological support.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives. Like anorexia, it often stems from low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, and a fear of weight gain. Bulimia can cause serious medical complications including heart problems, digestive issues, and electrolyte imbalances.
Night Eating Syndrome and Other Eating Disorders
Night eating syndrome involves consuming large amounts of food at night, often after waking from sleep. It may be connected to stress, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. We also provide treatment for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), body dysmorphia, and other eating disorders not otherwise specified in the diagnostic manuals.
Recognizing Eating Disorder Symptoms
Recognizing eating disorder symptoms early is a crucial step toward recovery. While symptoms vary depending on the type of disorder, some common signs include:
- Obsession with weight, dieting, or body image
- Dramatic weight loss or gain
- Skipping meals or extreme restriction of food
- Eating in secret or hoarding food
- Frequent use of the bathroom after meals
- Excessive exercise or rigid eating routines
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
Family members, teachers, or healthcare professionals are often the first to notice changes in behavior or appearance. If you or someone you love is showing signs of disordered eating, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Treating eating disorders early improves outcomes and reduces the risk of long-term health problems.
Our Approach at Revitalize Wellness
Revitalize Wellness provides eating disorder treatment in Massachusetts through our structured day treatment program. This level of care offers the intensity of residential or inpatient care, but allows clients to return home at night. It’s ideal for individuals who need more than weekly therapy but don’t require round-the-clock supervision.
Our goal is to treat the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. We believe in creating a safe, supportive space where clients can heal at their own pace. Our licensed therapists, dietitians, and psychiatric providers work together to offer personalized care for every stage of the recovery journey.
Residential Treatment
For some individuals, residential treatment may be recommended as a higher level of care. Residential programs involve 24/7 supervision in a structured environment. They provide intensive support for individuals who are medically unstable or experiencing severe symptoms. While Revitalize Wellness focuses on day treatment, we coordinate with residential programs when this level of care is needed, and help clients transition into our services when they are ready.
Our Approach at Revitalize Wellness
Revitalize Wellness provides eating disorder treatment in Massachusetts through our structured day treatment program. This level of care offers the intensity of residential or inpatient care, but allows clients to return home at night. It’s ideal for individuals who need more than weekly therapy but don’t require round-the-clock supervision.
Our goal is to treat the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. We believe in creating a safe, supportive space where clients can heal at their own pace. Our licensed therapists, dietitians, and psychiatric providers work together to offer personalized care for every stage of the recovery journey.
Residential Treatment
For some individuals, residential treatment may be recommended as a higher level of care. Residential programs involve 24/7 supervision in a structured environment. They provide intensive support for individuals who are medically unstable or experiencing severe symptoms. While Revitalize Wellness focuses on day treatment, we coordinate with residential programs when this level of care is needed, and help clients transition into our services when they are ready.
Inpatient Care
Inpatient care is typically short-term and used when someone is in immediate medical danger due to their eating disorder. This level of care addresses acute medical issues and stabilizes individuals so they can continue recovery in a less intensive setting. Our treatment team collaborates closely with inpatient facilities and ensures a smooth handoff when clients return to day treatment or outpatient services.
Nutrition Education
Nutrition education is one of the most important parts of treating eating disorders. Many individuals have been living with disordered eating for years and have lost touch with what their bodies need. At Revitalize Wellness, we help clients rebuild regular eating patterns, understand how food supports healing, and reduce fear around certain foods.
Our dietitians use evidence-based therapies to address restrictive eating habits, emotional eating, and food-related anxiety. Clients also participate in supervised meals and snacks to practice new skills in a supportive setting. Learning to eat in a healthy, balanced way is a foundational part of long-term recovery.
Committed to Whole Person and Comprehensive Care
Eating disorders rarely exist in isolation. They often co-occur with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, or trauma-related disorders. That’s why we provide comprehensive care that includes mental, emotional, and physical support.
We incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), talk therapy, and psychotherapy into our programs. Our approach is trauma-informed and focused on helping clients build healthy coping strategies. We also support family members through education and family therapy sessions.
Our treatment plans address each person’s full life experience, from eating habits to emotional regulation, body image concerns, and past trauma. Every treatment plan is individualized and developed by a multidisciplinary treatment team with experience in treating eating disorders.
What’s Included in Our Eating Disorder Treatment Program
Our program is built around connection, structure, and support. Services may include:
- Individual therapy focused on behaviors, thought patterns, and recovery goals
- Group therapy and support groups that build community and reduce isolation
- Meal planning and supported mealtimes with trained staff
- Nutrition education with registered dietitians
- Family therapy to support loved ones in the recovery process
- Medical monitoring and psychiatric support when needed
- Life skills training, mindfulness, and stress reduction techniques
Clients attend several hours of programming each day, multiple days a week. This level of care provides consistency and accountability, which is critical in early recovery.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
If you or someone you care about is struggling with an eating disorder, you’re not alone. Eating disorder treatment in Massachusetts is available and effective. At Revitalize Wellness, we’re here to help you take back control of your life, rebuild your relationship with food, and restore your health.
We understand that seeking help can feel overwhelming. But reaching out is the first step toward lasting recovery. Whether you’re battling binge eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or night eating syndrome, our team is ready to support you with compassion and expertise.
Don’t wait to get help. Contact Revitalize Wellness today to learn more about our eating disorder treatment programs and how we can support you or your loved one on the journey to healing. Your recovery matters—and a healthier, more fulfilling life is possible.
