Can depression affect physical health?

Yes, depression can affect physical health. It may cause chronic pain, insomnia, loss of appetite, and weakened immunity.

How long does depression last?

The duration of depression depends on several factors. It may last for days, months, or sometimes even years.

Can depression lead to suicidal thoughts?

In severe cases, depression can lead to suicidal or self-harm thoughts. It's crucial to seek medical help as early as possible in such situations.

How do I know if I have depression or anxiety?

Depression is characterized by persistent sadness, often followed by feelings of hopelessness, while anxiety involves excessive worry and fear. Sometimes, individuals may experience both depression and anxiety together, especially in women.

Am I depressed or just sad?

When sadness lasts for more than a few weeks, it may be a sign of depression. Unlike sadness, depression begins to interfere with daily activities and can impact overall well-being.

Top Rated Women’s Depression Treatment Centre in Gurgaon

Eating Disorder Treatment for Women at Athena Okas

Eating disorders are not simply about food—they are complex mental health conditions that deeply affect how women view themselves, their bodies, and their worth. They can steal joy, break confidence, and even endanger life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 70 million people worldwide struggle with eating disorders, and women are disproportionately affected.

In India, these disorders are still underrecognized due to stigma, cultural silence, and lack of specialized care.

At Athena Okas—the first all-women mental health and de-addiction center—we provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment designed exclusively for women. Our program acknowledges that women’s experiences with food, body image, and self-worth are deeply shaped by cultural pressures, trauma, and unique life stages such as pregnancy, postpartum changes, and menopause.

We believe recovery is possible. With timely care, women can not only heal their relationship with food but also rediscover confidence, health, and peace of mind.

Understanding Eating Disorders in Women

Eating disorders are serious medical and psychological illnesses—not lifestyle choices. They often arise from a mix of biological, psychological, and social factors.

The most common types include:

Anorexia Nervosa – Extreme restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image.
Bulimia Nervosa – Repeated episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) – Frequent overeating episodes without purging, often linked with shame and loss of control.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) – Distressing eating patterns that don’t meet the “full criteria” but are equally harmful.

Why Women Are More Vulnerable

Cultural Pressures: In societies where “thinness” is equated with beauty, women feel constant pressure to fit unrealistic body standards.
Life Transitions: Puberty, postpartum changes, infertility struggles, and menopause often trigger body dissatisfaction.
Trauma & Abuse: Survivors of physical or sexual abuse may develop disordered eating as a coping mechanism.
Biological Differences: Hormonal fluctuations (estrogen, progesterone) can affect mood, appetite, and vulnerability to eating disorders.

Research shows women are twice as likely as men to suffer from an eating disorder, and eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric conditions.

Signs & Symptoms of Eating Disorders in Women

Physical Signs

Rapid weight loss or extreme fluctuations
Hair thinning, brittle nails, dry skin
Menstrual irregularities or infertility
Constant fatigue, dizziness, or fainting
Gastrointestinal problems (bloating, constipation, acid reflux)

Behavioral & Emotional Signs

Preoccupation with weight, calories, and dieting
Avoiding social gatherings involving food
Secretive eating or hiding food
Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals
Extreme exercise routines despite exhaustion
Low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression

Insight: Many women struggling with eating disorders appear “healthy” on the outside. This makes early detection and intervention crucial.

Why Specialized Treatment for Women Matters

General psychiatric care often overlooks the gender-specific challenges faced by women with eating disorders. At Athena Okas, we address these unique concerns:

Safety & Security: Women-only environment reduces stigma, shame, and fear of judgment.
Trauma-Informed Care: Many women with eating disorders have a history of trauma; our therapies prioritize safety and healing.
Body Positivity & Identity: Women are often harshly judged for their appearance; we help build acceptance and compassion toward one’s body.
Life-Stage Sensitivity: Programs tailored for adolescents, mothers, professionals, and midlife women ensure relevance.

Evidence-Based Treatments at Athena Okas

Psychotherapy (Core Treatment)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E): Helps women identify distorted thoughts (“I’ll only be loved if I’m thin”) and replace them with healthier beliefs.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Effective for women with high emotional sensitivity and self-harming tendencies. Teaches emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance.
Family-Based Therapy (FBT): Especially for adolescents and young adults, empowering families to support recovery.
Trauma-Focused Therapy: Helps survivors of abuse process trauma without resorting to disordered eating.

Nutritional Rehabilitation

Personalized meal plans developed by dietitians specializing in women’s health.
Gentle reintroduction of balanced nutrition in anorexia.
Breaking cycles of binge-purge behavior in bulimia.
Intuitive eating strategies for binge eating disorder.
Education on women’s nutritional needs (iron, calcium, folate) for menstrual health, fertility, and bone strength.

Medical Care & Monitoring

Regular checks for cardiac health, electrolytes, and bone density.
Management of complications like anemia, osteoporosis, and menstrual irregularities.
Close collaboration between psychiatrists, physicians, and gynecologists.

Medication Support

SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine) for bulimia and co-occurring depression/anxiety.
Lisdexamfetamine for binge eating disorder (FDA-approved).
Hormonal regulation support when necessary.
Always integrated with therapy, not as a standalone treatment.

Holistic Therapies

Yoga & Mindfulness: Reconnecting with the body with kindness instead of punishment.
Art & Dance Therapy: Expressing emotions without words.
Peer Support Groups: Building sisterhood and reducing isolation.

Healing Beyond Food: Rebuilding Self-Worth

At Athena Okas, our work goes beyond stopping unhealthy eating patterns. We help women:

Rebuild confidence and body acceptance.
Develop resilience against societal pressures.
Heal relationships strained by disordered eating.
Learn healthier coping mechanisms for stress and trauma.
Regain joy in food, family, and life.

Why Choose Athena Okas for Eating Disorder Recovery?

India’s first all-women mental health & addiction center
Evidence-based, trauma-informed therapies tailored to women
Safe, stigma-free environment
Multi-disciplinary team (psychiatrists, psychologists, dietitians, gynecologists)
Focus on both body and mind for holistic healing

Real Stories of Hope

Conclusion

Eating disorders in women are not about vanity or willpower—they are serious mental health conditions demanding specialized, compassionate care. Left untreated, they can cause lifelong damage to health, relationships, and self-esteem. But with timely intervention, recovery is not just possible—it is life-changing.

At Athena Okas, we walk with women every step of the way—from breaking free of destructive cycles to rediscovering joy, strength, and freedom.

Your story doesn’t have to end in silence. With the right support, every woman can heal, reclaim her body, and live a life full of dignity and hope.

If you or someone you love is struggling with BPD, don’t wait for tomorrow. Call Athena Okas today 9289086193 and allow our team to help you rebuild life with hope and strength.