Eating Disorders Treatment in Red Bank, NJ
Eating Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment
You might feel alone in this struggle, but you’re not. Approximately 9% of the U.S. population will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime, and these conditions have the second-highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder.[1]
At Kolli Psychiatry in Red Bank, New Jersey, our team of experienced providers understands that eating disorders are serious mental health conditions—not choices or phases. We serve patients throughout Monmouth County, including Red Bank, Middletown, Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver, and surrounding New Jersey communities. If you’ve been struggling with your relationship with food or your body, understanding eating disorders is the first step toward recovery and healing.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, races, and body sizes. While they commonly emerge during adolescence and young adulthood, they can develop at any life stage. Women are more frequently diagnosed, but eating disorders in men are significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated.[3]
Here’s what makes eating disorders particularly dangerous: they affect both mental and physical health. The obsession with food, weight, and body shape consumes enormous mental energy, while the behaviors themselves—restriction, binging, purging, or excessive exercise—cause serious medical complications.
Think of eating disorders like other mental health conditions: they’re not choices, they’re illnesses that require professional treatment. Just as you wouldn’t tell someone with depression to “just be happy,” telling someone with an eating disorder to “just eat normally” fundamentally misunderstands the condition.
Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa involves severe food restriction driven by intense fear of weight gain and distorted body image. People with anorexia often perceive themselves as larger than they are, even when at a low weight (BMI below 18.5 in adults).
There are two subtypes: restricting type (limiting food intake, sometimes with excessive exercise) and binge-eating/purging type (restriction combined with episodes of binging and compensatory behaviors).[1]
Anorexia is a serious condition with significant medical risks, making professional treatment essential for recovery.[1]
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia involves recurrent episodes of binge eating (consuming larger amounts than usual while feeling out of control) followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain—such as self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, fasting, or excessive exercise.[2]
People with bulimia may be at various weights, which can make the condition less visible to others. The cycle of these behaviors can cause medical complications including electrolyte imbalances, dental concerns, digestive issues, and cardiac effects—making professional treatment important for both physical and mental health.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the U.S.[3] It involves recurrent episodes of eating more than usual in a discrete period, feeling a loss of control during these episodes, and experiencing significant distress afterward—without regular compensatory behaviors.
BED is distinct from occasional overeating. Episodes typically involve eating more rapidly than usual, eating beyond comfortable fullness, eating when not physically hungry, eating alone due to embarrassment, and feeling distressed afterward. Treatment can help address both the psychological aspects and any related health concerns.
Other Eating Disorders
ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder): Limited food variety causing nutritional deficiencies or weight loss, but not due to body image concerns. Often involves avoiding foods based on sensory characteristics or fear of negative consequences.[2]
Pica: Eating non-food substances (dirt, chalk, hair) for at least one month. More common in children and pregnant women.
Night Eating Syndrome: Consuming large portions during the night with little daytime appetite, associated with stress and disrupted sleep.
Eating Disorders Comparison Table
|
Disorder |
Main Pattern |
Body Image Focus |
Typical Weight |
| Anorexia Nervosa | Severe restriction, fear of weight gain | Yes, distorted | Below healthy range |
| Bulimia Nervosa | Binge-purge cycles | Yes, preoccupied | Usually normal range |
| Binge Eating Disorder | Recurrent binges without purging | May be present | Often above normal |
| AFRID | Food avoidance/restriction | No | May be below normal |
How Do I Know If I Have an Eating Disorder? Signs to look out for
Note: The following is a list of common warning signs. Reading through symptoms can sometimes be difficult. Take care of yourself, and remember that recognizing these patterns is a brave first step toward getting help.
Consider the following signs:
☐ Preoccupation with food, calories, weight, or body shape that interferes with daily life
☐ Avoiding meals with others or social situations involving food
☐ Restricting entire food groups or “fear foods”
☐ Eating large amounts of food rapidly, feeling out of control
☐ Using behaviors to compensate for eating (vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise)
☐ Frequent checking of weight or body measurements, or avoiding scales completely
☐ Distorted body image (seeing yourself as larger than you are)
☐ Wearing baggy clothes to hide your body
☐ Feeling cold frequently, dizziness, fatigue, or concentration problems
☐ Dental problems, calluses on knuckles, or digestive issues
☐ Menstrual irregularities or loss of period
☐ Social withdrawal, especially around mealtimes
If several of these resonate with you, it’s important to seek professional evaluation. Eating disorders are progressive—they typically worsen without treatment.
Other Conditions We Treat
What Causes Eating Disorders?
Biological Factors: Genetics (having a family member with an eating disorder increases risk 7-12 times), brain differences in areas controlling hunger and emotional regulation, and neurotransmitter imbalances in serotonin and dopamine.[1,3]
Psychological Factors: Perfectionism, low self-esteem, difficulty managing emotions, trauma history, and co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, or ADHD.
Environmental and Social Factors: Diet culture and societal obsession with thinness, social media exposure to edited images, weight-related teasing, participation in appearance-focused activities (dance, modeling, wrestling), major life transitions, and family dynamics focused on weight or appearance.
Many patients at our Red Bank, NJ practice have internalized damaging messages about their bodies from early childhood, creating vulnerability when combined with biological and psychological factors.
The Impact of Eating Disorders
Physical Health
Mental Health
Daily Life
Treatment for Eating Disorders in Red Bank, NJ
Recovery is possible with comprehensive, specialized treatment. At Kolli Psychiatry, our experienced team of providers offers evidence-based approaches for patients throughout Monmouth County and central New Jersey:
Psychiatric Evaluation and Diagnosis for Eating Disorder
Thorough assessment including clinical interview about eating behaviors and thoughts, medical history, evaluation of co-occurring conditions, and assessment of medical complications requiring immediate attention.
Medication Management for Eating Disorder
While medication doesn’t cure eating disorders, it helps manage symptoms and co-occurring conditions:[3]
Antidepressants (SSRIs): Reduce binge eating and purging in bulimia; treat co-occurring depression and anxiety
Mood stabilizers: Help with emotional regulation
Anti-anxiety medications: For acute anxiety interfering with eating or treatment
Medication works best combined with therapy and nutritional counseling.
Therapy and Nutritional Support
We coordinate care with specialized eating disorder therapists providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Family-Based Treatment (FBT). Registered dietitians help normalize eating patterns, challenge food rules, and develop a healthy relationship with food.
Level of Care
Treatment intensity depends on medical and psychological severity, ranging from outpatient therapy to intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, residential treatment, or inpatient hospitalization for medical stabilization.
Many of our Monmouth County patients start with outpatient care at our Red Bank office, using higher levels only if needed. The goal is the least restrictive level ensuring safety and progress. Our team can help determine the appropriate level of care and coordinate with specialized eating disorder programs in New Jersey when more intensive treatment is needed.
Ready to take the first step toward healing? Contact Kolli Psychiatry in Red Bank to schedule a confidential evaluation for eating disorder treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Eating Disorder Treatment in NJ
Can someone recover from an eating disorder?
Yes. Full recovery is absolutely possible, though it often takes time. Many people achieve complete recovery, meaning they have normal eating patterns, no eating disorder thoughts or behaviors, and a healthy relationship with food and their body. Early intervention improves outcomes, but recovery is possible at any stage.
Do eating disorders only affect young women?
No. While eating disorders are more common in females, they affect people of all genders, ages, races, and body sizes. Men, older adults, and people in larger bodies are significantly underdiagnosed because eating disorders are stereotyped as a “teenage girl problem.” Everyone deserves appropriate screening and treatment.
Can you have an eating disorder if you’re not underweight?
Absolutely. Most people with eating disorders are not underweight. Bulimia and binge eating disorder typically occur at normal or higher weights. You can be severely ill with an eating disorder at any body size. Weight is just one factor—behaviors and psychological symptoms matter more for diagnosis.
Is it my fault I have an eating disorder?
No. Eating disorders are mental illnesses, not choices. They result from complex interactions of genetic vulnerability, brain chemistry, psychological factors, and environmental influences. You didn’t choose to have an eating disorder, and you can’t simply “choose” to stop. Professional treatment is necessary.
How long does treatment take?
Recovery timelines vary widely. Some people see significant improvement within months, while others need years of treatment. On average, recovery from anorexia takes 5-7 years, while bulimia and binge eating disorder often respond more quickly to treatment. Consistent engagement with treatment and strong support systems improve outcomes. The important thing is that recovery is possible.[3]
Where Can I Get Eating Disorder Treatment Near Me in Monmouth County?
If you’re searching for eating disorder treatment in the Red Bank, NJ area, Kolli Psychiatry provides comprehensive psychiatric care for eating disorders at our Red Bank office. We’re conveniently located in Monmouth County and serve patients from:
Red Bank and surrounding areas: Middletown, Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Shrewsbury
Western Monmouth County: Holmdel, Colts Neck, Marlboro, Manalapan
Eastern Monmouth County: Long Branch, Eatontown, Oceanport, West Long Branch
Central New Jersey communities: Tinton Falls, Hazlet, Keyport, and beyond
We offer both in-person psychiatric evaluations and medication management at our Red Bank office, as well as telehealth appointments for New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania residents who prefer remote care.
When to Seek Eating Disorder Treatment in Red Bank, NJ?
Seek professional evaluation if you:
- Have concerns about your relationship with food or body image
- Engage in restricting, binging, purging, or excessive exercise
- Experience distress about eating or weight
- Notice eating behaviors interfering with daily life
- Have physical symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or menstrual changes
- Feel unable to stop disordered eating behaviors on your own
At Kolli Psychiatry, our team of experienced psychiatric providers offers compassionate, comprehensive evaluation and treatment for eating disorders at our Red Bank, New Jersey office. We serve patients throughout Monmouth County, including Middletown, Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls, Eatontown, Long Branch, Holmdel, Colts Neck, and surrounding central New Jersey communities. We offer both in-person appointments at our Red Bank location and convenient telehealth options for New Jersey residents.
Our providers coordinate care with eating disorder specialists, therapists, registered dietitians, and medical providers to ensure you receive comprehensive, individualized support. Whether you’re seeking an initial psychiatric evaluation, medication management for co-occurring conditions, or ongoing psychiatric care during eating disorder recovery, our team is here to walk alongside you.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
- National Eating Disorders Association. (2023). Statistics & research on eating disorders. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics-research-eating-disorders
- Treasure, J., Duarte, T. A., & Schmidt, U. (2020). Eating disorders. The Lancet, 395(10227), 899-911.
About Kolli Psychiatry: Kolli Psychiatry is a comprehensive psychiatric practice in Red Bank, New Jersey, specializing in eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Our team of board-certified psychiatric providers offers evaluation, medication management, and coordination with specialized therapists. We serve patients throughout Monmouth County and central New Jersey with in-person care at our Red Bank office and telehealth services for New Jersey residents.
Kolli Psychiatry | Red Bank, NJ | www.kollipsych.com
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment.
