Eating disorders are not only about food. Thoughts about food, weight and body shape take up a large part of the mind, and behaviors such as severe restriction, uncontrollable binges or compensating through vomiting or excessive exercise can develop.
These behaviors are often a way of coping with difficult emotions, anxiety or a need for control. Shame and secrecy are common, and people close to you may not notice anything. Eating disorders affect all ages and genders, and getting help early matters a great deal.
Something else may fit better if…
Enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E) helps establish more regular eating and examine thoughts that make weight and shape the measure of your worth. The goal is a calmer relationship with food.
Approaches like DBT for managing emotions and family-based therapy for adolescents are also used. Your therapist helps you understand the emotional roots of the behaviors.
Treatment is often a team effort: a therapist, a doctor and sometimes a dietitian. A psychiatrist can also assess whether medication may help with accompanying symptoms.
In online sessions in Persian, you can talk without judgment about habits you may have kept hidden. Your therapist may ask you to keep notes on your eating and feelings.
Treatment for eating disorders often takes several months or more, and recovery usually happens step by step. Your therapist may ask you to have regular medical check-ups along the way.
Examples are fictional and illustrative.
After moving to Australia and facing study pressure, Sheida gradually restricted her food and felt it was the only thing she could control. A friend noticed her weight loss. With a doctor and a therapist, she slowly started a regular eating plan. In sessions she talked about the loneliness and pressure she felt.
After stressful days, Behrouz ate at night until he felt sick and then blamed himself. In therapy he saw that binges increased after skipped meals and hard days. He found regular meals and other ways to soothe himself. His shame eased.
Elham spent hours each day checking her body in the mirror and exercised hard after every meal. Her therapist helped her see values in her life beyond appearance. Together with her doctor, she balanced her exercise. Gradually she could eat out with friends again.
These therapists list this on their profile. All sessions are online and in Persian.
No. Eating disorders can occur at any weight and body shape. Weight alone does not show how much someone is struggling.
Online therapy can be an important part of treatment, but because of the physical risks, a doctor usually needs to see you regularly too. Your therapist can help you set up that collaboration.
Treatment usually moves toward regular, flexible eating rather than strict diets. If needed, a dietitian can join the team.
If you have fainting, chest pain, a strongly racing heart, severe weakness or suicidal thoughts, contact local emergency services or a crisis line now. These signs may indicate a serious medical risk.
This page is general information and does not replace a professional assessment. If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact your local emergency services. Urgent help
