Eating Disorders in Dubai’s Modern Lifestyle - Restoring Balance

Promoting mindful and healthy eating habits as part of eating disorder recovery in Dubai.

Psychologist-Led Eating Disorder Therapy in Dubai

Dubai is a city of ambition, diversity, and high expectations. While its vibrant environment offers opportunities, it also brings pressures related to appearance, performance, and success. For many, these pressures manifest in unhealthy relationships with food, body image, or exercise. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect physical health, emotional wellbeing, and daily functioning.

At Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic in Dubai Media City, our psychologists provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy to help individuals overcome eating disorders and rebuild a healthy relationship with food and self-image. Recovery is possible, and with the right support, balance can be restored.

What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders involve persistent disturbances in eating behaviours and related thoughts or emotions. They are not lifestyle choices but medical conditions requiring professional care.

Common Types of Eating Disorders

• Anorexia Nervosa: Restricting food intake, intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image.

• Bulimia Nervosa: Cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting or excessive exercise.

• Binge Eating Disorder: Recurrent episodes of overeating without compensatory behaviours.

• Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED): Symptoms that don’t fit neatly into one category but are equally serious.

Common Symptoms of Eating Disorders

• Preoccupation with food, weight, or body shape

• Restrictive eating or extreme dieting

• Episodes of binge eating

• Purging behaviours (vomiting, misuse of laxatives)

• Excessive exercise

• Social withdrawal or secrecy around eating

• Physical symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or irregular heartbeat

Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.

Why Eating Disorders Often Go Undiagnosed in Dubai

In Dubai’s high-performance culture, restrictive eating or excessive exercise may be normalized as “discipline” or “fitness.” Social media and cultural stigma around mental health further discourage individuals from seeking help.

At Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic, we frequently meet patients who have silently struggled, believing their behaviours were “healthy.” Early recognition and treatment are essential for recovery.

Effective Treatments for Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are highly treatable with the right combination of therapy, medical support, and lifestyle changes. Our psychologists use internationally recognized methods tailored to each patient’s needs.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E)

CBT-E is a specialized form of CBT designed for eating disorders. It helps patients challenge distorted thoughts about food and body image, while building healthier behaviours.

Family-Based Therapy (FBT)

FBT involves parents and family members in treatment, especially for adolescents. Families learn to support recovery and rebuild healthy routines.

Nutritional Counseling

Psychologists collaborate with nutritionists to provide guidance on balanced eating and body awareness.

Mindfulness and Body Image Therapy

Mindfulness practices reduce anxiety and help patients reconnect with their bodies in positive ways.

Medication

In some cases, psychiatrists prescribe medication to manage coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety. Medication is always combined with therapy for sustainable results.

The Retrieve Mind Approach to Eating Disorder Care

Led by Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Aju Abraham, Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic combines medical psychiatry with psychological therapy for holistic treatment. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to deliver comprehensive care for both adults and adolescents.

Our focus areas include:

• Psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis

• CBT-E and family-based therapy

• Nutritional counseling and lifestyle guidance

• Medication management where necessary

• Psychoeducation and family support

We tailor each treatment plan to the individual, addressing not only symptoms but also underlying stressors, beliefs, and coping patterns. Patients are guided through gradual, sustainable recovery steps in a confidential and supportive environment.

Eating Disorders in Professionals

Dubai’s corporate culture often emphasizes discipline and performance. Professionals may struggle with restrictive eating or compulsive exercise, believing it enhances productivity. Therapy helps them rebuild balance and resilience.

Eating Disorders in Students and Adolescents

Young people may face pressures related to exams, peer influence, or social media. Eating disorders in adolescents often appear as secrecy around food, irritability, or declining grades. Our psychologists provide age-appropriate therapy, helping adolescents build coping skills and self-esteem.

Accessible Care in Dubai Media City

Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic is located in Concord Tower, Al Sufouh 2, Dubai Media City — a central, easily accessible area for residents and professionals. We serve nearby communities including Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR), Palm Jumeirah, Barsha Heights, and Knowledge Village.

Our proximity to major corporate offices such as Google, Microsoft, CNN, Amazon, and MBC makes it convenient for professionals to access therapy discreetly during their workday.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

If eating behaviours or body image concerns are affecting your health, relationships, or productivity, professional help is available. Eating disorders are not a weakness — they are treatable conditions that respond well to compassionate, evidence-based care.

Book a confidential consultation with Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic in Dubai Media City today. Our team is here to help you restore balance and rediscover wellbeing.

Contact Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic

👉 Call or WhatsApp: +971 50 206 6563 / +971 43 99 6919

 📍 Location: 1914, 19th Floor, Concord Tower, Al Burooj Street, Al Sufouh 2, Dubai Media City, near Palm Jumeirah Tram Station

Schedule an appointment today!

Written by: Dr. Aju Abraham, MBBS (University of Kerala, India), MRCPSYCH (The Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK), Certificate of Completion Of Specialist Training (The Specialist Training Authority of the Medical Royal Colleges, UK), Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Therapy ( University of Durham, UK) Consultant Psychiatrist, Medical Director, Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic (25+ years experience, UK NHS & Middle East)

About the Author

Dr. Aju Abraham is a Consultant Psychiatrist and the Medical Director of Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic, Dubai Media City. He has over 25 years of clinical experience in psychiatry, spanning the UK National Health Service (NHS), Qatar, and the UAE.

His expertise covers adult psychiatry, mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, relationship difficulties, and workplace stress.

Dr. Abraham’s approach integrates evidence-based medicine with a compassionate understanding of modern urban lifestyles. He regularly contributes to mental health awareness across educational and corporate settings in Dubai and Doha.