Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are neurobiological disorders that may have a strong genetic component. We do not believe that individuals choose to have an eating disorder and that the eating disorder is not the fault of the young adult or their family. Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are disorders where chronic malnutrition, starvation, &/or purging, may produce severe changes in personality, brain, heart, bone, muscle, ovary, testicle, intestinal tract, and other organ systems. In the female 6 months of no menstrual periods can lead to bone loss and osteopenia. In the male, weight loss can lead to decreased testosterone levels and bone loss in the spine. Patients with very low body weight, dizziness, dangerously low heart rates or rhythms, chest or abdominal pain, low potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, or calcium may need in-patient treatment.

Our team focuses on early intervention to prevent these life-threatening changes and the need for costly hospitalization. Many patients can be stabilized and begin recovery with intensive daily outpatient treatment. Our program is tailored for the developmental stage and cultural orientation of the patient. Children need different approaches to treatment than college age and older adults. We treat both men and women up to age 25 for eating disorders. If you know someone who is struggling with an eating disorder encourage him or her to seek help soon, as continued weight loss makes recovery more difficult and more costly. To contact our staff for an appointment call 425-646-0804 If you are a medical provider and want additional information about treating eating disorders you may contact Dr. States at 425-646-0804.

• Refusal to maintain body weight at or above minimal normal weight for age and height
• Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
• Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced
• Undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation
• Loss of menstural periods [amenorrhea] -in females that have had prior menstruation

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating
• Recurrent compensatory behavior [purging, use of laxatives or water pills] in an effort to prevent weight gain
• Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body weight and shape

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating
• Binge episodes may be associated with eating when not hungry
• Eating more rapidly than normal
• Eating until uncomfortably full
• Feelings of self guilt and disgust
• Marked distress regarding binge eating

For those individuals struggling with an eating disorder the symptoms may be both life impairing and life threatening and warrant immediate professional assessment and treatment. Due to the complex medical and psychological issues that accompany an eating disorder the American Psychiatric Association practice guidelines (APA; 1992) recommend a multidisciplinary team approach including medical, psychological and nutritional interventions.

American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. American Psychiatric Association (1993). Practice Guidelines for Eating disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry. 150;2, February.

Steiner, H., & Lock, J. (1998). Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in children and adolescents: A review of the past 10 years. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 37, 352-359.