Archive for August, 2007
Eating Disorder Treatment Works
on August 21st, 2007 by Jonathan
Eating Disorder Treatment Works, Not DietsÂ
By the time clients enter eating disorder treatment, they are out of control with food. They can write books about nutrition, diets, how they should eat and how they should not. They know the calories and carbohydrates in almost every food. The problem is they just cannot put that knowledge into practice. They are locked into an uncontrollable cycle with food where obsessive thoughts about weight, body image, diets, and food consume their lives.
A reputable eating disorder treatment program connects people back to an internal form of control, making it possible to eat when hungry, make healthy food choices, and stop eating when full. People learn to identify the thoughts, feelings, and situations that trigger using food or thinking excessively about food. At some point in the eating disorder program patients learn to substitute healthy methods of caring for themselves.
An eating disorder treatment program should be a structured program based on cognitive-behavioral theory, solution-focused theory, and educational awareness. It is complemented with experiential and guided imagery, hypnotherapy, affirmations, and meditation techniques.
moreEating Disorder Problems Keep Growing
on August 17th, 2007 by Jonathan
Eating disorders negatively affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Compulsive Overeating are becoming increasingly prevalent in our society. These unhealthy patterns of eating behavior each have specifics characteristics:
Anorexia Nervosa: Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight. Refusal to maintain body weight over minimal levels. Severe limitations of food intake. Disturbance in the way in which body, size or shape is perceived. For example, the person feels “fat” even when emaciated. Excessive exercising in order to lose weight. In women, an absence of at least three consecutive menstrual periods.
Bulimia Nervosa: Recurring episodes of binge eating, rapid consumption of a large amount of food in a short period of time. Regularly engaging in purging, (getting rid of food through self-induced vomiting). Excessive use of laxatives, diuretics, strict dieting, fasting or vigorous exercise to prevent weight gain. Feeling out of control during the eating binges. Persistent over concern with body shape and weight.
Compulsive Overeating: Binge eating without purging through vomiting or laxative use. Eating for reasons other than hunger. Being unable to stop eating. Feeling guilty about eating. Constant preoccupation with food and diets.
There is no one specific etiological cause of eating disorders. However, biological, familial, social and cultural factors all play a part in their development. Decades of social and cultural pressure for women to conform to thin standards, associated with physical attractiveness and the current diet “industry”, have created an ideal climate for eating disorders. Also, the social and biological pressures of adolescence can often trigger eating disorders in young women. The need for acceptance and approval is often perceived to be correlated with appearance, i.e., beauty, body size and body shape. Family communication patterns and attitudes toward food and fat play an important role. A persistent desire for emotional connection and acceptance by parents are experienced by all children. When this need is unfulfilled, feelings of self doubt and anxiety are often experienced. Although the problem may have been existing for a long time, sometimes major disappointments or rejection triggers an eating disorder, or exacerbates eating disorder symptomology (bingeing & purging). Body chemistry can be a factor in some cases. The role of depression in eating disorders has been observed with relative frequency. For example; specific neuro-transmitters, which regulate mood response, frequently become unbalanced in persons with eating disorders. Other body chemicals that affect hunger initiation and inhibition may also be found out of balance. Call the eating disorder helpline for help at 1-800-511-9225.
Anorexia commonly begins in the teens, but can start at any age. The incidence of anorexia among 8-11 year olds is increasing. Most individual and family therapists agree that anorexia can represent an adolescent’s struggle for independence. This can present difficulties in families in which parents feel a need for control or are uncomfortable about “letting go” of their child.
Bulimia tends to develop during the teen years or early 20’s, but the onset may also be younger. Many bulimics are able to hide their symptoms because they appear healthy and successful and are frequently “perfectionists.” However, they often suffer from low self-esteem and depression and may exhibit other compulsive behaviors or addictions. The extreme purging behaviors of bulimia upset the balance of body chemicals and can damage organs as well. Compulsive overeating can create the health hazards associated with obesity.
Eating disorders nearly always have more to do with feelings than with food. Food is often used as an attempt to mask emotions, particularly if those emotions are negative or painful. Insensitivity to interoceptive cues, or the inability to identify or articulate internal states such as hunger and safety, is a common characteristic for many persons with eating disorders. Another example of this disturbance is evidenced by the lack of response to cold, fatigue, and sexual feeling in persons with anorexia. Recognition of other feelings such as anger and sadness are also difficult for these individuals.
Most people find it difficult to stop anorexic, bulimic or compulsive overeating behavior without professional help. Left untreated, these disorders can lead to several health problems, even death. Psychotherapy by professionals and at times, appropriate pharmacology, can be effective tools in facilitating recovery. Call the eating disorder helpline NOW.
Treatment for eating disorders is both complex and multi-dimensional. Depending on the severity of the disorder and if the patient is at risk, inpatient treatment may be needed. However, if the patient is physiologically stable, a comprehensive outpatient treatment program can provide effective care more cost efficiently.
Outpatient care frequently incorporates treatment components that have been found to be successful in inpatient and outpatient settings. For example, comprehensive psycho-education is an essential component. This facilitates an individual’s combatant of denial and assists them in identifying and understanding issues that may have contributed to the development of their eating disorder.
The utilization of experiential therapy approaches, such as music, art and movement therapy, psychodrama, guided imagery and family reconstruction is particularly applicable for this population due to the nature of their problem. First, the disorders have a physical and somatic component that is accompanied by a disturbed body image. Secondly, many eating disordered patients are unaware of their internal affective and cognitive experiences. Successful treatment includes helping individuals become aware of, understand, and accept their inner thoughts and feelings. Thirdly, eating disordered individuals are often reluctant to disclose their true selves. This may be due to a lack of personal definition of self or a hesitance due to feelings of shame and inadequacy, and fear of rejection. In summary, expressive therapies are helpful in uncovering feelings and recollections of bodily experiences since their symbolic nature obscures meaning, while permitting uninhibited expression.
The establishment of a normal, healthy eating pattern is a primary goal of effective treatment. Often persons with eating disorders have eaten inappropriately for such a long period of time, they have difficulty conceptualizing what “normal” is. Exercise is also part of a healthy lifestyle. The development of an activity plan by an exercise physiologist that provides an appropriate level of energy expenditure is an important element of therapy.
Important clinical issues are also addressed throughout therapy. These issues include autonomy, identity, self-esteem, assertiveness, impulse regulation, affect modulation, body image and interpersonal relationships. Concerns of this nature are addressed in individual and group therapy.
moreEating Disorder Treatment
on August 7th, 2007 by admin
There are many forms of eating disorder treatment provided in the United States. Some eating disorder treatment programs are on an outpatient basis and some are residential eating disorder treatment programs. Some have a psychiatric focus for their treatment, while others focus on a 12 step approach to treatment. When deciding which eating disorder treatment program to attend ask the facility to explain the differences and which one they embrace.
For information pertaining to eating disorder treatment programs you can call the national helpline at 1-800-511-9225.Â
moreWhich Came First; Drug Addiction or Eating Disorder?
on August 7th, 2007 by admin
When a person enters drug rehab or an addiction treatment facility and is diagnosed with a drug addiction and eating disorder, the question arises which addiction developed first and how do you treat two addictions?
First, let us define an eating disorder as the quality of one’s thinking as it relates to food and weight and not how much someone weighs. Then, we may take a look at various behaviors and address other criteria. In most cases, one’s thinking regarding food and weight became distorted way before they ever began using drugs or alcohol. It is not uncommon that after a period of time of trying to achieve certain self determined goals through binging, purging or restricting and not achieving those goals, that the person would turn to drugs as a means to accelerate the process or deal with the emotional whirlwind of depression, shame or self hatred. At this point we have an eating disorder and drug addiction going full throttle in an attempt to by the person to gain control. It rarely happens and is described as the “great illusion†by most treatment professionals.
How To Treat Drug Addiction And Eating Disorders
When entering a drug rehab or addiction treatment program with an accompanying eating disorder, the goal should always be patient safety. If the patient is not in a life threatening situation due to their disordered eating, then the individual usually enters detox for their drug addiction. After detox is completed, the person’s behavior as it relates to their eating disorder will be addressed. Whether it is binging, purging or restricting, the patient must be willing to address the behavior to achieve recovery. Realizing that abstaining from the eating disorder behavior will initiate cravings for drugs, the clinical staff at the addiction treatment facility must be acutely aware of the possibility of relapse. During this process, the addiction treatment facility must also address the issue of whether they are the appropriate setting for the patient and if not make a referral to another drug rehab or eating disorder facility.
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