Do you experience stress around your eating and exercise habits? Do you find yourself feeling preoccupied with your weight, body shape and size, and food choices? Are you concerned about a family member or friend who seems underweight, is restricting food intake, overexercises, or vomits after meals? University Health Services offers the following services that can be of help.
At University Health Services there are healthcare providers who help students with eating disorders (ED). These providers include physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians, psychiatrists, and therapists. Some providers have additional special training in the treatment of ED. The health care providers address the physical, psychological, and nutritional aspects of an ED and support students in recovery. ED care is available to all UC Berkeley students, regardless of insurance.
Recovery from an eating disorder is best supported through engagement with a multidisciplinary team led by a therapist. Therapists can help address the underlying stressful thoughts about food and body.
To connect to a therapist, call Social Services at (510) 642-6074. Please be advised that Social Services can only provide brief counseling and cannot guarantee weekly visits. Many students struggling with eating disorders need weekly counseling and Social Services can show you how to find a local community provider. Social services can also help facilitate referrals to more intensive levels of treatment if appropriate.
Medical providers evaluate and monitor how your physical body is doing. Dietitians provide nutrition guidance and support the normalization of eating behaviors.
At UHS, ED Clinic visits are offered in which students are seen by both a medical provider and dietitian at the same time for an eating disorder consultation. No therapy is provided in these visits. Please be advised that at certain times in the semester when demand is high, weekly follow-up visits cannot be guaranteed. Additional individual medical and individual nutrition visits are available through UHS.
Please call (510) 643-7110 to schedule an appointment for an ED Clinic visit. To schedule an appointment with only the dietitian, call (510) 642-6074.
Students: If you have not been seen at UHS for this issue or are not sure where to start, call the Social Services office at (510) 642-6074 to discuss your particular situation and how we can best meet your needs.
Staff: If you are concerned about a student with a possible eating disorder and would like a consultation, you may call Social Services at (510) 642-6074.
Eating disorders are behavioral conditions characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions. Although we don’t know exactly what causes eating disorders, genetics, trauma, and societal pressures all contribute to their development. People experiencing mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, or addiction, may engage in disordered eating as a way to cope.
Body dissatisfaction is a major contributor to the development of eating...