Symptom Substitution or Crossover

Some eating disorders symptoms may not be identified until further into treatment or may not manifest until other symptoms are interrupted. For example, a restricting child may increase intake, but then try to induce vomiting (purging) or engage in excessive exercise as a means of compensating.  Similarly, those who primarily engage in binge/purge behaviors are at risk of becoming more restrictive in their intake as they gradually reduce those behaviors. It is necessary to address the full spectrum of symptoms as part of the process of recovery.


Keywords: define Symptom Substitution or Crossover eating disorder


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