Child eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) are complex conditions that affect how children and adolescents view food, body image, and self-worth. These disorders are deeply tied to biological factors, brain chemistry, and co-occurring mental health conditions.

If left untreated, eating disorders can cause severe physical and psychological medical risks. Early medical intervention from a psychiatrist is essential to manage the underlying emotional and biological triggers.

Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation

Eating disorders rarely occur in isolation. They are almost always fueled by underlying mental health struggles. Our board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists perform detailed clinical evaluations to:

• Diagnose the specific eating disorder and assess its psychiatric severity.
• Identify and diagnose co-occurring conditions, such as severe Generalized Anxiety, Major Depression, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
• Create a targeted medical plan to address the psychological distress causing the abnormal eating behaviors.

Targeted Medication Management for Co-Occurring Conditions

While medication does not directly cure an eating disorder, pharmacological treatment is highly effective in treating the severe anxiety, depression, or obsessive thought patterns that cause children to restrict food, binge, or purge.

Our psychiatric team provides:

• Evidence-Based Prescriptions: Carefully selecting safe, pediatric-approved medications (such as SSRIs or mood stabilizers) to reduce intense anxiety, rigid thinking, and depressive symptoms.
• Symptom Alleviation: Turning down the volume on obsessive thoughts about food, calories, or body image, making it easier for the child to rebuild healthy habits.
• Close Clinical Monitoring: Regular, mandatory follow-up appointments to monitor medical progress, optimize doses, and ensure your child’s safety while minimizing side effects.

A Collaborative Medical Approach to Recovery

Successful recovery from an eating disorder requires a multidisciplinary team. While we focus strictly on the psychiatric and medical side of treatment, we actively collaborate with your child’s broader care team:

• External Therapists: We work alongside outside psychologists who provide specialized eating disorder therapies (like family-based treatment or specialized CBT).
• Pediatricians & Medical Doctors: We coordinate with your child’s primary care doctor to track physical health, weight updates, and vital signs.
• Registered Dietitians: We support the nutritional plans created by your child’s external nutrition expert by ensuring the child’s psychiatric symptoms do not interfere with their meal plans.

School Support & Medical Documentation

We provide the necessary medical documentation and official diagnoses required to help you secure academic accommodations, such as 504 Plans or IEPs, ensuring your child has a supportive environment at school during their medical recovery.