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Eating disorders
If you are concerned you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, consult these resources.
Source: Health Services
Eating disorders are a group of illnesses that cause a person to engage in unhealthy behaviours related to food and weight. Food and weight occupy the person's thoughts and plans, and cause them a great deal of distress. Eating disorders interfere with living life normally. They cause serious health problems and can even lead to death.
The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.
You don't have to have a 'full-blown' eating disorder to have real, reasonable concerns about how much time and space eating and weight management take in your mind and life.
Our attitudes and behaviours related to food and weight can be described on a continuum, ranging from
Healthy/not an issue ← to → Eating disordered
Where do you fit?
If your answer gives you concern, consult the resources below.
More resources
Websites
- American Psychological Association. Overview of eating disorders, the importance of treatment, the role of the psychologist, and links to related, evidence-based articles.
- Go Ask Alice. Go Ask Alice! is the health question-and-answer Internet service produced by Columbia University’s Health Promotion Program. Its mission is to provide readers with reliable, accessible information and a range of thoughtful perspectives so that they can make responsible decisions concerning their health and well-being.
Organizations
- ANEB Quebec. Offers information on the causes and treatments for eating disorders, a help line (514-630-0907, 1-800-630-0907, 8 a.m. - 3 a.m.) support groups and workshops for people suffering from eating disorders, and ones for their family and friends.
- The National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC). A Canadian non-profit organization providing information, a guide for family and friends, a recommended reading list, and resources on eating disorders and weight preoccupation.
- Montreal Overeaters' Anonymous: Offer in-person and virtual meetings. Patterned after the 12 Steps Tradition, members support each other through shared experience. See their Are You a Compulsive Overeater? (15 questions to help you decide) tool.
Montreal clinics
- Concordia Health Services. If you would like to discuss this, or any other issue with a health professional, come to Concordia University Health Services. You will be treated with respect, consideration, dignity and empathy.
- Concordia Counselling and Psychological Services. Psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors will collaborate with you to achieve psychological health, wellness and success.
- Douglas Hospital Eating Disorders Program. The only specialized public program for eating disorders in Quebec. The website explains what you have to do to receive treatment from the Eating Disorders Program.
- Centers that use a team approach to treating eating disorders, such as Clinique BACA.
- The Emotional Health CBT Clinic. Located in NDG, this clinic offers cognitive-behavior therapy. Affiliated with the McGill University Health Centre. Fees are based on income.
- Many more local and off-island out-patient treatment centers as well as health and mental health professionals specializing in helping those living with eating disorders can be found on the ANEB Quebec website.
