Are There Support Groups for Eating Disorders (EDs) in Seattle?

In this blog, we will discuss what are eating disorders, different types of eating disorders, what are support groups, treatment for EDs, what are support groups, support groups in Seattle, and answer frequently asked questions. 

Are There Support Groups for Eating Disorders (EDs) in Seattle?

Yes, there are several support groups being run in Seattle that are related to eating disorders and we will be sharing all details about these support groups in the later section.

Support groups are a great way to have a sense of community with people who are on the same journey and who struggle with similar kinds of concerns. 

Here is a brief list of support groups for EDs in Seattle:

F.E.A.S.T, Peer Support, Emily Program, ERC support group, etc.

There is a detailed list covering all the relevant information about these support groups in the later section. 

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders Eating problems are mental conditions recognizable with the tendency to use unhealthy, obsessive, or disordered ingesting habits. 

Eating problems include each emotional and bodily sign and encompass anorexia nervosa (voluntary starvation), bulimia nervosa (binge-ingesting observed with the aid of using purging), binge-ingesting disorder (binge-ingesting without purging), and different or unspecified ingesting problems.

Most eating problems involve paying too much attention to your weight, shape, and food, which can result in dangerous eating behaviors. These behaviors can significantly impact your body and can cause serious health issues. 

Eating disorders are serious conditions and should be taken very seriously. They often have a strong impact on your life and the lives of those around you.

For example, individuals with body-focused eating disorders become intensely concerned about the size and shape of their bodies and may become obsessed with calories and the diet industry. 

They may also purge to compensate for eating or to avoid the food they associate with gaining weight. In contrast, individuals with eating disorders not otherwise specified, focus on their weight and shape to some degree, but they also have a history of repetitive maladaptive eating behaviors and poor body image.

This can lead to dangerous eating behaviors, such as fasting or purging. Eating disorders are much more than a “diet”. They are complex illnesses that can cause significant long-term damage to your body and mind.

These behaviors can significantly impact your body and may make it harder for you to manage your weight. Eating disorders are serious conditions that affect your emotional and physical well-being. They can be lifelong conditions, but recovery is possible with the aid of eating disorder support groups.

Kinds of eating disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia typically occurs in young, thin women, although men and children have also been diagnosed with the condition. Anorexia is the fourth leading cause of death in young women in the United States. Anorexia nervosa is a complex condition that is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight.

The term anorexia is from the Greek words a (without) and Oreos (weight), implying an abnormal lack of weight. Anorexia nervosa is a condition characterized by the body’s drive to maintain a minimally normal weight and the pursuit of weight loss regardless of the potential health consequences. 

An individual with anorexia nervosa may refuse to eat, or eat very little, and may become dangerously thin. Anorexia can lead to malnutrition, which can result in a number of physical and mental problems, such as osteoporosis, heart problems, and depression. 

Anorexia nervosa is the most common type of eating disorder. There are several other types of eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, that are less common.

Bulimia Nervosa

Unlike people with anorexia, people with bulimia typically do not feel in control of their eating. They binge on large amounts of food, followed by a period of self-induced vomiting or the use of diuretics or enemas to prevent weight gain. 

They may also use laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to “purge” (lose weight). Unlike anorexia, purging is a common behavior in people with bulimia, though they may also use other methods, such as fasting, to lose weight.

Many people think of bulimia as a “junk food” diet disorder. In reality, bulimia is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. When you have bulimia, you have episodes of bingeing and purging that involve feeling a lack of control on your body. It is important to note that bulimia is different from binge-eating episodes.

Symptoms of bulimia include frequent bingeing and purging. These are episodes of eating very large amounts of food in a short period of time and then engaging in a process of self-induced vomiting or using diuretics, enemas, or laxatives to prevent weight gain. 

Bingeing and purging can occur several times a day, which can lead to serious health problems, such as heart failure or damage to the oesophagus and liver. Bingeing and purging are often used to cope with emotions, such as sadness, anger, or anxiety.

Rumination Disorders

Rumination disorder is characterized by the repeated regurgitation of food after eating. Unlike people with bulimia, those with rumination disorder do not feel a lack of control over their eating and are not trying to lose weight. 

Rather, the repeated regurgitation is a symptom of the disorder. In some cases, rumination may be a sign of another condition, such as a medical disorder or another eating disorder.

Rumination disorder is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that is characterized by repetitive behaviors after eating. 

People with rumination disorder often feel a sense of regret or embarrassment after eating and tend to repeat the same behavior, such as repeatedly regurgitating food after eating. The repetition of the behavior does not seem to result in weight loss or improve body image. This repetitive behavior can become a significant source of anxiety for people with rumination disorder.

In other cases, rumination can be a sign of another eating disorder, such as bulimia or binge eating. But in some cases, rumination is a behavior that persists beyond its typical period. This type of rumination is sometimes referred to as rumination disorder.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder (BED) can be defined as recurrent episodes of binge eating, in which a person eats an amount of food that is larger than most people would eat under similar circumstances. 

Binge eating has also been described as a dietary relapse. During Binge eating disorder people eat large amounts of food in a short period of time, usually with the aim of feeling out of control. 

When you binge eat, you don’t feel any physical need to eat, and you are not using purging to try to lose weight. The amount of food you eat during a binge is usually larger than what you need to feel satisfied, and you may eat alone in secret. Binge eating can be triggered by stressful situations.

Many people with a history of eating disorders have also reported the presence of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or another eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are three of the most common eating disorders.

People with a history of binge-eating disorder will likely continue to engage in bingeing and purging behaviors on a regular basis. However, they may also engage in compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gains, such as self-induced vomiting or the use of laxatives.

Treatment for eating disorders

Treatment for eating disorders is available through a variety of specialists. Treatment may include psychotherapy, such as psychodynamic or cognitive-behavioral therapy, or medication to address symptoms of an eating disorder or to improve weight and body image. 

Treatment may also include group therapy, such as support groups, or family therapy. It is important to work with a qualified health care provider to determine the best form of treatment for you or a loved one.

Therapy helps people with an eating disorder to understand the role that their eating behaviors have played in the development of their symptoms. It also helps them to learn healthy ways of coping with difficult emotions and situations. The use of medications, such as antidepressants, can also be effective in treating an eating disorder.

Treatment for eating disorders is often focused on the behaviors that lead to weight gain or a distorted body image. While this is an important step in getting better, it is only part of the picture. 

The most effective treatments for eating disorders focus on the underlying mental health issues that contribute to the development of these behaviors. This may include the treatment of co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression.

Treatment for an eating disorder is often a combination of medical and psychological therapies. Treatment for anorexia and bulimia usually focuses on nutrition, such as restrictive diets and meal plans. 

Treatment for binge-eating disorder is usually focused on behavior change, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy. Support groups can also be an important part of treatment, as patients learn how to meet the needs of others with similar experiences.

If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.

What are support groups?

Support groups are small groups of people who attend a group in order to share experiences, to get support, and to form friendships. The group may consist of people with the same medical condition, physical disability, mental health condition, or another type of problem.

Support groups are an important source of support for people who are going through difficult times and for those who are trying to cope with a long-term health condition. Support groups are places where people with eating disorders can meet to share experiences and ideas.

Support groups for Eating Disorders

They help family members, friends, or colleagues to recognize the signs and symptoms, prevent the development of anorexia or bulimia, and support people who are experiencing an eating disorder.

People can talk and learn about their eating disorders. Support groups are often run by professionals who have worked with many people with eating disorders and who are experienced in helping people recover from eating disorders. 

You will meet with a support group leader who will ask you a lot of questions about your eating disorder and will tell you everything you need to know about the group and how to get the most out of it.

Support groups in Seattle

Peer Support

F.E.A.S.T.

Connect with a trained parent who can offer peer support online or over the phone.

For more information, go to feast-ed.org or call 1855-50-FEAST. Email the representative for Western Washington at daryl@feast-ed.org.

Parent Support

Seattle Children’s Meal Support Training for Parents

See our handout “Meal Support Training for Parents” seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE1371.pdf

The Emily Program – Seattle

1700 Westlake Avenue North Suite 700 Seattle, WA 98109

206-283-2220

Facilitated by trained professionals

Eating Disorder 101/Information session: Second Thursdays of each month, 5 to 6 p.m.

Support Group: First and third Thursday of each month, 6 to 7 p.m.

For more information, go to emilyprogram.com/your-recovery/for-families/

Center for Discovery, Bellevue Outpatient Program – Support in Recovery (SIR)

11000 NE 33rd Place Suite 340 Bellevue, WA 98004 IOP/PHP

425-278-9240

The free in-person group meets Thursday at 7 p.m.

Online support group meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, go to centerfordiscovery.com/groups/

Eating Recovery Center (ERC) Eating Disorder Support Group – ERC Bellevue

1601 114th Ave SE Suite 180 Bellevue WA, 98004

425-689-5581

Shannon.Braach@eatingrecovery.com

Virtual family and community support groups are offered every Wednesday at 5:15 p.m.

For more information, go to eatingrecoverycenter.com/alumni/virtual-support/online-support-groups

Conclusion

We discussed what eating disorders are, the kinds of eating disorders, the treatment for EDs, what support groups are, and a list of support groups in Seattle with all relevant information. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Are There Support Groups for Eating Disorders (EDs) in Seattle?

Which eating disorder is most lethal?

Anorexia Nervosa is the most dangerous eating disorder due to high fatality rates.

Who should I contact if I have an eating disorder?

It is better to consult with doctors, mental health professionals, and nutritionists. You can also join support groups near you.

Is not eating a coping mechanism?

Yes, partly people do not eat as a coping mechanism. A lot of people suffer from anorexia and use this as a coping mechanism.

What are the 4 types of eating?

The four types of eating are: Fuel, Fun, Fog, and Storm.

What are the two types of anorexia?

Anorexia falls into 2 general types:

Restricting type and  Binge eating/purging type

How do I know if I am an emotional eater?

If you do not follow your body’s pattern of hunger and fullness and you eat beyond measure or more than your body needs then yes you may be an emotional eater.

What are support groups? 

Support groups are small groups of people who attend a group in order to share experiences, to get support, and to form friendships. The group may consist of people with the same medical condition, physical disability, mental health condition, or another type of problem. 

Support groups are an important source of support for people who are going through difficult times and for those who are trying to cope with a long-term health condition.

References

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/eating-disorders/wa/seattle
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20353603

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!