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Anorexia nervosa is characterized by low body weight and body image distortion with an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Individuals with anorexia often control body weight by voluntary starvation, purging, vomiting, excessive exercise, or other weigh control measures, such as diet pills or diuretic drugs. It often primarily affects young adolescent... more

Bulimia Nervosa is a psychological condition in which the subject engages in recurrent binge eating followed by intentional purging. This purging is done in order to compensate for the excessive intake of the food and to prevent weight gain. Purging typically takes the form of vomiting; inappropriate use of laxatives... more

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is currently listed under Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified in the DSM-IV-TR.  In binge eating disorder, the person does not regularly engage in compensatory behaviors, such as, vomiting, fasting or doing strenuous exercise after binge eating.  Another eating disorder category under Eating Disorder NOS meets all the criteria for Bulimia except that binge eating and compensatory behaviors are less than two times per week or for less than three months.   Often, people with Binge Eating Disorder are overweight or obese.. more

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About Dr. Pitts
Dr. Patricia Pitts is the Chief Executive Officer of The Bella Vita established in 1985. She is a nationally renowned expert in the treatment of anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating and disordered eating. She has addressed a variety of national and... more
Partial Hospitalization Program at The Bella Vita
Our preferred method of intensively treating those patients with severe eating disorders, our Partial Hospitalization Program is an effective, result oriented therapy  that imbues our patients with a sense of ability and confidence towards these...more
News & Updates from The Bella Vita

You can subscribe to The Bella Vita newsletter, The Vista Bella, and view current and past issues for more information on treating and overcoming eating disorders... more


Excerpt from newsetter: Relaxation Techniques

Ahh!  Relaxation!  You’ve had a hectic day.  You feel stressed from head to toe and have anxiously awaited the moment to finally take time to really relax and let go of the day’s worries and concerns.  You kick off your shoes, change into comfortable clothes, and go to your spot in your home.  Suddenly your head starts in - “What did my boss mean when he said... more

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Dr. Patricia Pitts to be featured on Extra

Friday, December 5 at 7 pm on Channel 4 This Friday, Dr. Patricia Pitts, Clinical Director at The Bella Vita, will be featured on Extra’s Life Changers segment. Dr. Pitts will be discussing and answering questions on anorexia and eating disorders. This special segment will air this evening, Friday, continue...

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What is Bulimia?

What is Bulimia? Bulimia is an eating disorder that is defined by periodic binge eating followed deliberate purging.  By purging, a bulimic compensates for excessive eating and to prevent gaining weight.  “Binges” & then “purges” “Binges” - out of control eating including secretive continue...

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Free Support Groups

Free Weekly ANAD-Eating Disorders Support Groups The Bella Vita in Los Angeles766 Colorado Blvd Los Angeles 90041323-255-0400 Adolescents: Thursdays 4pm—5pm Adults: Mondays 6pm—7pm The Bella Vita in San Fernando Valley6400 Canoga Ave Ste 154 Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818-676-1540 continue...

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Manorexia

Dr. Patricia Pitts was interviewed for a segment on Extra, featuring Manorexia, which airs Friday December 5th at 7:00pm on Channel 4.  A former Bella Vita client who had anorexia, was also interviewed.With proper treatment the fatality rate of Anorexia drops from 20% to 2-3%.  Anorexia continue...

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Media messages and poor body images

The constant stream of media messages takes its toll on those with poor body images: 5,000 Ads/day, one-third focus on appearance Models are thinner than 98% of Americans Models in media print are air brushed Promotes negative body image Boys & girls alike impacted by the media’s focus on continue...

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