Higher-Weight Eating Disorders Therapy

Therapy for Higher-Weight Eating Disorders in Chicago, Northbrook, and Virtually Throughout Illinois

Eating disorders do not have a “look.”

They exist in bodies of every size. Yet individuals in higher-weight bodies are among the most underdiagnosed and undertreated when it comes to eating disorders.

Many people are told to lose weight when they are actually struggling with restriction, bingeing, purging, compulsive exercise, or severe food anxiety. Some are praised for behaviors that are medically dangerous. Others are dismissed entirely.

At SpringSource: Eating, Weight & Mood Disorders, we understand that eating disorders in higher-weight bodies are real, serious, and deserving of specialized care. You do not have to become visibly underweight to qualify for help. You do not have to prove your suffering.

Whether you are seeking eating disorder therapy in Chicago, Northbrook, or virtual support throughout Illinois, we provide weight-inclusive, evidence-based treatment grounded in respect and dignity.

Why Eating Disorders in Higher-Weight Bodies Are Often Missed

Weight stigma has shaped how eating disorders are understood in both healthcare and culture.

Historically, anorexia was associated only with visibly underweight individuals. As a result:

Restrictive eating in larger bodies is often encouraged
Rapid weight loss may be praised rather than questioned
Medical complications may be attributed to weight alone
Emotional distress around food may be minimized
Individuals are told they are “healthy” while actively malnourished

Research now makes clear that medical risk is determined by behaviors and physiological instability, not body size alone. Individuals in higher-weight bodies can experience:

Electrolyte imbalances
Bradycardia or cardiac strain
Hormonal disruption
Bone density loss
Severe malnutrition
Cognitive impairment

Eating disorders in higher-weight bodies are not less serious. In many cases, they are diagnosed later, increasing risk.

Eating Disorders Commonly Seen in Higher-Weight Individuals

While any eating disorder can occur at any size, we frequently treat:

Atypical Anorexia Nervosa
Severe restriction, intense fear of weight gain, and rapid weight loss without falling below an “underweight” threshold.

Bulimia Nervosa
Cycles of bingeing and purging, including vomiting, laxatives, or compulsive exercise.

Binge Eating Disorder
Recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food accompanied by shame, distress, and loss of control.

OSFED / Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders
Clinically significant eating pathology that does not fit neatly into a single category.

Compulsive Exercise Patterns
Excessive movement driven by fear, guilt, or weight control.

Higher-weight clients may also struggle with chronic dieting, emotional eating, trauma-related food behaviors, and internalized weight stigma.

Signs You May Be Struggling

You might relate to:

Persistent preoccupation with food, calories, or body shape
Alternating restriction and overeating
Compulsive exercise
Avoiding eating in front of others
Shame after meals
Feeling “never disciplined enough”
Fear of medical appointments
History of weight cycling
Rapid weight changes
Feeling dismissed by healthcare providers

If food and weight are organizing your mental and emotional life, support is appropriate.

Schedule a Consultation

A Weight-Inclusive, Non-Stigmatizing Approach

At SpringSource: Eating, Weight & Mood Disorders, we actively challenge weight stigma in clinical care.

Our treatment does not assume that weight loss is the goal. Instead, we focus on:

Stabilizing eating patterns
Restoring nutritional adequacy
Addressing restrictive and binge behaviors
Reducing shame
Rebuilding body trust
Processing trauma and relational wounds
Developing emotional regulation skills
Exploring self-image beyond body size

We draw from evidence-based approaches including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT)• Psychodynamic Therapy
Trauma-informed therapy
Attachment-based and relational therapy
Mindfulness and somatic practices

For clients navigating GLP-1 medications, we provide psychological support that addresses body changes, self-image shifts, and complex emotions.

Care is collaborative and individualized. Your body is not the enemy.

The Impact of Weight Stigma

Many higher-weight individuals carry years of shame, medical dismissal, and cultural messaging that their bodies are problems to solve.

Weight stigma can lead to:

Delayed medical care
Avoidance of therapy
Chronic self-criticism
Disordered eating behaviors
Anxiety and depression
Social isolation

Healing often includes not only addressing eating behaviors, but also untangling internalized stigma and reclaiming self-worth.

What Healing From a Higher-Weight Eating Disorder Can Look Like

Recovery in a higher-weight body is not about forcing your body into a different size. It is about restoring health, stability, and peace.

Clients often notice:

More consistent, balanced eating
Fewer binge-restrict cycles
Reduced body shame
Increased emotional resilience
Greater trust in hunger and fullness
Less fear at medical appointments
Improved mood and energy
Reconnection with values beyond weight

Healing is not about appearance. It is about freedom.

You Deserve Care Now

You do not have to wait for your body to change.
You do not have to become medically unstable to be believed.
You do not have to prove your suffering.

Eating disorders affect people across the weight spectrum. Treatment should too.

At SpringSource: Eating, Weight & Mood Disorders, we provide compassionate, evidence-based eating disorder therapy in Chicago and Northbrook, as well as virtual care throughout Illinois. We offer free 15-minute consultations so you can explore next steps without pressure.

Call 224-202-6260 or reach out through our contact form. You deserve care that sees the whole of you.

Fill Out Our Contact Form to Schedule a Consultation