Eating disorder signs, symptoms, and treatment: Q&A with Rogers experts

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Although anorexia and bulimia are probably the first two that come to mind, eating disorders include a wide range of unhealthy and/or restrictive eating habits. According to the National Eating Disorder Association, eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of all mental health disorders, surpassed only by opioid addiction.

“It’s a very serious illness,” says Dr. Stephanie Eken, Rogers’ regional medical director. “Every organ system can be affected.”

Dr. Brad Smith, medical director for Rogers’ Oconomowoc campus and Eating Disorder Recovery, says there are a variety of reasons someone may develop an eating disorder.

“Most of the time we see loving, supportive family members who are trying to help their loved ones through a very significant crisis,” says Dr. Smith. “Eating disorders are not caused by families. They are too complex to be caused by any one person or any one thing.”

Dr. Eken and Dr. Brad Smith sat down for a live Q&A about the different types of eating disorders, signs you or a loved one could be suffering from one, and Rogers’ evidence-based treatment.

Hear more from Dr. Eken and Dr. Smith in the video above as they take questions from our Facebook Live viewers.

If you or a loved one is struggling and would like to learn more about Rogers’ eating disorder treatment, call our team at 800-767-4411 or request a free, confidential screening online.

If you do not feel you or your loved one needs treatment right away, but may be concerned, we offer online quizzes to possibly provide some relief. While these quizzes do not provide a diagnosis, it could be the first step in finding the treatment you may need. Take our online Eating Disorder Quiz today.