Eating disorder

What are eating disorders?

People suffering from an eating disorder are obsessed with eating and their weight. The topic of food constantly gives rise to tension and fear, and it dominates their life. This largely affects the state of mind and daily functioning.

There are several types of eating disorders, namely anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder (BED), NOS eating disorder (combination of eating disorders), and orthorexia nervosa. Here is a brief description of these disorders: 

Anorexia nervosa

Young people with anorexia nervosa try to suppress their appetite and hunger pangs throughout the day. They are afraid to gain weight and feel 'fat' while they are often already (under)weight. Their very limited intake of food is often accompanied by excessive exercise and can have serious consequences, which are sometimes life-threatening.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is characterised by binge eating, interspersed with periods of eating (very) little, vomiting or using laxatives and/or excessive exercise. During a binge, large quantities of food are consumed in a short space of time, and the person has no control over this behaviour. After a binge, the person often feels guilty and experiences feelings of shame. Many young people with bulimia have a healthy weight, however, they are still very dissatisfied with this.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder where a person consumes a large amount of food in a short time. This eating disorder is not always compensated, or to a lesser extent, by periods of diets, vomiting and excessive exercise as is the case with bulimia nervosa. BED often leads to an increase in weight and a risk of obesity.

Orthorexia nervosa

Someone with orthorexia nervosa is obsessively engaged in healthy eating. It starts out innocently, but gradually the person stops eating more and more types of food. This can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies. Orthorexia can eventually transition to anorexia.

NOS eating disorder

NOS (not otherwise specified) eating disorder is the most common eating disorder and is characterised by several features of other eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and orthorexia. This disorder is a combination of symptoms, but not all features of one specific diagnosis are evident. For example, someone with NOS binges on a regular basis, but less often than someone with bulimia or binge eating disorder. It can also include someone who meets all the criteria for anorexia but who is still menstruating. NOS is just as serious as the other eating disorders and requires expert treatment.

Eating disorders and young people

An eating disorder, also called food addiction, can develop at various stages in life, but usually occurs during the teenage years and in young adults. Young people with an eating disorder are frequently insecure, have a distorted body image and often have low self-esteem. All kinds of factors can play a role in this, such as someone's personality, the culture in which someone has grown up, pressure from the social environment, the influence of social media, a sport or profession that requires a thin body and traumatic emotional experiences.

Eating disorders are regularly associated with other issues, such as performance anxiety and depression. We specialise in multiple problems and help young people 24/7 to overcome their problems and to be able to continue life in a fulfilling way. Unconditional support, warmth and commitment are paramount.

Treatment of eating disorders

At Yes We Can Youth Clinics, we treat adolescents and young adults (we call them "fellows") so they can overcome their eating disorders. We help them to live and function in society pleasantly again by slowly breaking down the wall they have built around themselves. This way, the fellows start working towards a beautiful future.

When treating an eating disorder, we first pay attention to the background of the problem. What is the underlying pain? Which obstructive thoughts and patterns play a role? Both the young people and their parents gain more insight into what is going on and how they can work on recovery.

Our multi-disciplinary team helps young people to achieve a lasting new perspective, where we support, motivate and confront the young people at the right time.

Personal therapy sessions

Yes We Can provides an intensive therapy schedule for our fellows, including three weekly individual sessions with a certified clinical psychologist and additional consultations with our professional psychiatrists. These essential interactions serve to evaluate and adapt treatment plans, ensuring they align with each fellow’s evolving needs and facilitating a stable source of expert support. This individualized care is a cornerstone of our expansive treatment approach, tailored to nurture each fellow's recovery in a compassionate and supportive setting.

Collective healing in group therapy

Group therapy sessions at Yes We Can are a powerful vehicle for healing, offering fellows a platform to share and reflect on their journeys with peers. Led by counsellors with firsthand experience in overcoming similar obstacles, these sessions enhance the sense of community and mutual understanding among fellows. The environment of shared experience and empathy underscores the message that no one is alone, bolstering resilience throughout the intensive treatment program.

Physical activity as a pillar of recovery

Physical wellness is integral to the recovery process at Yes We Can, with daily sports and activities designed to support overall mental and physical health. These activities complement the individual therapy sessions that address deeper emotional and psychological issues, facilitating a holistic healing process. Fellows receive consistent, focused therapy to develop coping mechanisms for their traumas, ensuring a well-rounded approach to rehabilitation.

Family integration in recovery

The recovery journey at Yes We Can is a collaborative effort that includes the fellow’s family through our specialized support and therapy programme. We equip families with effective communication and support techniques to lay a foundation for a supportive home environment post-treatment. This comprehensive family involvement is crucial for fostering sustainable recovery and growth.

Eating disorders and medication

The young people may already be taking medication before they come to our clinic. For instance, anti-depressants, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), may have previously been prescribed for certain types of eating disorders. However, at Yes We Can Youth Clinics, we aim to treat 'the real person' instead of the person under the influence of medication.

Responsible phasing out

We try to reduce any medication that the person is already taking to zero or to as little as possible. This is done in a responsible manner, under the watchful eye of the psychiatrist. The safe treatment climate at Yes We Can Youth Clinics, the positive environment and the entire treatment team that is present 24/7 to motivate, support and confront the young people, where necessary, all ensure that the withdrawal or discontinuation of medication is usually successful. After they have left the clinic, these young people are often able to cope with much less medication or even none at all. 

Contact us

Yes We Can Youth Clinics can effectively treat teenagers and young adults who are suffering from a wide variety of mental health issues. If you have any questions, any at all, you can always contact us. We cannot stress enough that we are always there for you, whether you sign up for a treatment in our clinic or not. Our team of experienced professionals is here to help. 

You can reach us by phone from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (GMT +1) via phone number: +31 (0)85 02 01 222. Your call will be forwarded after business hours (on weekdays after 6:00 p.m. and on the weekends). Please note that it might take longer than usual to answer your call. If we cannot answer the call immediately, please leave a message, and we will call you back as soon as possible. You can also fill out our contact form.