Eating Disorder Treatment & Psychiatric Care in Boca Raton, FL
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. At Mental Health Blooming, Dr. Priti Kothari provides compassionate evaluation and treatment for eating disorders in Boca Raton, FL, helping children, adolescent, and adult psychiatry receive the support they need to develop healthier relationships with food, body image, and emotional wellness.
Eating disorders can involve unhealthy eating behaviors, distorted body image, preoccupation with weight or food, and significant emotional distress. These conditions often require comprehensive psychiatric care to address both the psychological and behavioral factors contributing to symptoms. Dr. Kothari provides individualized treatment recommendations designed to support recovery, improve emotional health, and promote long-term well-being.
Serving patients throughout Boca Raton, Jupiter, Weston, and surrounding South Florida communities, our practice is committed to providing evidence-based mental health care in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.
Eating disorders are psychiatric disorders characterized by abnormal eating that have a negative effect on a patient’s medical, emotional and social well being. The disorders are usually caused by complex interactions between genetic, psychological, social, and biological factors and frequently coexist with other illnesses such as depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, impulse control disorders and substance abuse. Females are particularly at risk with 90% of all eating disorders occurring in females, and many eating disorders begin to manifest during the teen years. Eating Disorders are a growing concern in the male population as well. Disorders such as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder,binge eating disorder, and emotional overeating are medically treatable illnesses. The key is to identify the signs and symptoms early and seek professional treatment as the condition has risks to become chronic in nature.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by a distorted body image, low self esteem, obsession with weight and thinness, fear of gaining weight, and food restriction. Many people suffering from anorexia see themselves as overweight despite clinically underweight. It occurs often in those who are seen as perfectionists and high achievers. Anorexia nervosa is particularly devastating as it can cause brain damage, multi-organ failure, infertility, anemia and in some cases death. Symptoms often include:
- Low body weight
- Severe food restriction
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Obsession with weight and weighing oneself
- Food rituals (cutting food into tiny pieces, hiding food, refusal to eat in public)
- Lack of menstruation in women
- May include use of laxatives, emetics, and excessive exercise
- Muscle wasting, brittle hair and nails, dry skin
Bulimia
Bulimia is frequently associated with anorexia nervosa, although both can occur individually or in combination. It is characterized by frequent and repeated episodes of binge eating, or excess consumption of food, followed by a compensatory reaction to the overeating which may include forced vomiting, periods of fasting, excessive exercise, and/or use of laxatives or enemas. Bulimics are more likely to suffer from depression, general anxiety disorder, and impulse control disorders. Unlike anorexics, bulimics are usually at a normal weight or even overweight, which may mask the presence of the disorder. Symptoms include:
- Normal weight or overweight
- Fear of gaining weight
- Frequent use of the bathroom, which may include prolonged running of the faucet
- Bad breath
- Chronic gastric reflux
- Chronically inflamed sore throat
- Severe dental erosion
- Marks, scars, or calluses on hands and fingers from self induced vomiting
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
- Dramatic weight fluctuations
Binge eating disorder and/or emotional overeating are characterized by repeated excessive intake of food. Many patients are challenged with using food as a coping tool with stress and benefit greatly from education, nutritional counseling and therapy.
How Can A Psychiatrist Help?
As medical doctors, psychiatrists are able to identify the physical symptoms of the disorders as well as identify any underlying depression, anxiety disorders, self esteem issues, obsessions, or compulsions. But, psychiatrists go beyond the practice of traditional primary care doctors, and also offer specific forms of psychotherapy used to treat the emotional and psychological aspects of the disorders, as well as being able to prescribe medication when medically necessary. In addition to counseling the patient, the psychiatrist may also be able to offer family therapy and assist with parenting strategies when necessary. Tools such as group therapy, coordination with medical specialists as well as family therapy are essential to aiding a patient with an eating disorder heal.
Why Choose Dr. Priti Kothari for Eating Disorder Treatment in Boca Raton, FL?
Seeking help for an eating disorder can feel overwhelming, but working with an experienced psychiatrist can make an important difference in the recovery process. Dr. Priti Kothari is a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive experience treating child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry facing a variety of mental health challenges, including eating disorders and related emotional concerns.
Patients throughout Boca Raton choose Dr. Kothari because of her compassionate, individualized approach to care. She understands that eating disorders are complex conditions influenced by emotional, psychological, social, and biological factors. Rather than focusing solely on eating behaviors, she takes a comprehensive approach that addresses the whole person and the underlying issues contributing to symptoms.
Dr. Kothari works collaboratively with patients, families, therapists, primary care physicians, and other healthcare professionals when appropriate to help support recovery and long-term wellness. Her goal is to provide personalized care that empowers patients to build healthier coping skills, improve self-esteem, and achieve lasting emotional health.
Eating Disorder FAQs
What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is a mental health condition characterized by unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to food, eating, body image, or weight. These conditions can affect both physical and emotional health.
What types of eating disorders are commonly treated?
Eating disorders may include conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and other eating-related concerns that impact health and daily functioning.
What are common signs of an eating disorder?
Signs may include significant changes in eating habits, intense concern about body weight or appearance, avoidance of certain foods, emotional distress related to eating, changes in weight, and social withdrawal related to food or body image concerns.
Can children and teenagers develop eating disorders?
Yes. Eating disorders can affect individuals of all ages, including child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. Early identification and intervention are often important for achieving positive outcomes.
How are eating disorders diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation that reviews symptoms, emotional health, eating behaviors, medical history, family history, and the overall impact of symptoms on daily life.
Are eating disorders associated with other mental health conditions?
Yes. Eating disorders may occur alongside anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, ADHD, trauma-related conditions, and other mental health concerns.
What treatments are available for eating disorders?
Treatment may include psychiatric evaluation, medication management when appropriate, therapy referrals, family support, coordination of care with other healthcare professionals, and individualized treatment planning.
When should someone seek professional help?
If concerns about food, eating, body image, or weight are affecting physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, school, work, or daily functioning, it is important to seek professional evaluation and support.
Schedule an Eating Disorder Consultation in Boca Raton, FL
Recovery is possible with the right support, guidance, and treatment. If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder or unhealthy eating-related behaviors, professional psychiatric care can help provide clarity, support, and a path toward healing.
Dr. Priti Kothari proudly provides eating disorder evaluation and treatment services for child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry in Boca Raton, Jupiter, Weston, and surrounding South Florida communities. Contact Mental Health Blooming today to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward improved emotional wellness, healthier coping strategies, and long-term recovery.