Eating Disorder Program

Saint Simons By-The-Sea treats patients ages 10 and older who have a primary mental health concern or substance use issue and are also showing signs of an eating disorder. Early identification often leads to better outcomes, which is why recognizing the signs matters just as much as knowing when to refer a patient for a closer look.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of an Eating Disorder?

A patient doesn’t need to meet every criterion below to warrant a closer look. These signs can show up gradually, and noticing even a few of them is worth paying attention to:

  • Preoccupation with food, weight or body shape
  • Skipping meals, restrictive eating or rigid food rules
  • Evidence of binge eating or purging behaviors
  • Excessive or compulsive exercise
  • Frequent weighing or body checking
  • Noticeable weight change (loss or gain) or fluctuation
  • Anxiety, guilt or distress around eating or meals
  • Withdrawal from meals or food-related social situations
  • Use of laxatives, diuretics or diet pills
  • Fatigue, dizziness or difficulty concentrating
  • Co-occurring anxiety, depression, OCD or trauma symptoms involving food or body image

These symptoms can overlap with other mental health concerns, which is part of what makes early recognition tricky. A patient may not volunteer this information outright, so watching for behavioral patterns over time can be more telling than a single conversation.

When Should You Refer a Patient for an Eating Disorder Concern?

Referring a patient doesn’t require certainty about a diagnosis. Consider a referral when:

  • The patient has a primary mental health or substance use disorder and shows early signs of an eating disorder
  • The patient discloses a history of disordered eating, even if it isn’t the primary concern
  • Eating or body image concerns are affecting recovery or mood
  • You need help discerning whether symptoms rise to a full eating disorder diagnosis; the team at Saint Simons By-The-Sea can help assess

How Does Saint Simons By-The-Sea Support Patients With Co-Occurring Eating Disorder Symptoms?

Patients ages 10 and older receive care that addresses their primary mental health or substance use diagnosis alongside emerging eating disorder symptoms, rather than treating these concerns in isolation. This approach reflects the same multidisciplinary, patient-centered model used across our inpatient and outpatient programs where psychiatrists, nurses and therapists collaborate on a plan tailored to each patient’s needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. A referral is appropriate any time a patient shows signs of disordered eating alongside a primary mental health or substance use concern, even before a full diagnosis is confirmed.

The program serves patients ages 10 and older who have a primary mental health or substance use diagnosis along with signs of an eating disorder.

Admissions representatives are available around the clock to complete a confidential mental health assessment and help determine the right level of care for the patient.

Even when eating or body image issues are secondary to another diagnosis, they can affect recovery and mood. Flagging these symptoms during referral helps the care team address them alongside the primary concern.

If you’re unsure whether a patient’s symptoms warrant a referral, call 1-800-821-7224 to talk through what you’re observing. The team at Saint Simons By-The-Sea is ready to help assess next steps together.

Treatment & Services