Eating Disorder Treatment, Types of Eating Disorders, and Eating Disorder Therapies
Various therapies can help young adults who have a development of an eating disorder. to begin, if you notice a family member has lost weight, contact your family doctor right away. To note, a combination of therapy alongside nutritionist visits can help with eating disorder treatment. For instance, Telehealth, online video therapy, and therapy for eating disorders. Overall, Wisdom Within Counseling offers creative, expressive arts therapy for eating disorders, treating the root cause. Often, teenagers are flooded with so many intense emotions and life experiences. Sometimes, divorce, self-harm, a friend moving away, and coming out as gay can all play a role in eating disorder therapy.
To start, book your phone consult for therapy for eating disorders.
What is an eating disorder? Signs of eating disorders
First, eating disorders are complex medical and psychiatric illnesses that affect a person’s physical and mental health. Often, eating disorders are a sign of a emotional challenge or big upcoming change. Also, eating disorder involve intense emotions like anxiety, anxiety attacks, and panic. Sometimes, insomnia and difficult sleeping are symptoms of eating disorders. Also, disordered behaviors related to food can be long-term without help. Eating disorders are illnesses with serious health consequences and can be fatal if left untreated. Often, eating disorders go unnoticed for months before a major issue. Also, eating disorders can affect people of any gender at any life stage. They’re most often reported in adolescents, young women and, young men. In fact, up to 13% of youth may experience at least one eating disorder by the age of 20.
To start, book a phone consult for eating disorder counseling, confidence, relaxation, and clarity.
Causes of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders may be caused by a variety of biological, psychological, and environmental factors including genetics, personality traits (neuroticism, perfectionism, and impulsivity) and perceived pressures to be thin. Often, cultural preferences for thinness and exposure to media promoting such ideals create stress. Further, trauma experiences can lead to development of eating disorders. Also, differences in brain structure and biology and levels of the brain messengers serotonin and dopamine may also play a role in the development of eating disorders. Therefore, it is import to know that there is rarely one cause. So, most eating disorders are caused by a combination of these factors.
Types of Eating Disorders, Anorexia, Bulimia, and More.
There are several types of eating disorders and it’s easy to get them confused because symptoms may overlap. Therefore, the different types include anorexia nervosa, avoidant/ restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED).
To start, book a phone consult for therapy for healing your eating disorder.
Anorexia Nervosa involves significant weight loss, lack of appropriate weight gain or refusal to gain weight, and a distorted body image. People with anorexia drastically limit their food intake (known as food restriction, which also involves cutting out certain foods/food groups) and have an intense fear of gaining weight, even though they may be underweight or have lost a significant amount of weight. Anorexia nervosa often presents during early adolescence (11–13 years of age) or during the later high school years (17–18 years of age), when a teen is preparing to go to college, but can occur in people of any age. To start, call or text us 860-451-9364 for therapy for eating disorders.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a feeding and eating disorder characterized by limiting intake of food or food groups without a fear of weight gain. An avoidant and restrictive eating style can lead to consequences such as weight loss. Also, restrictive eating can lead to inadequate growth or a significant nutritional deficiency. ARFID often presents during early adolescence, with the average age of onset being 12-13 years old. Unlike people with other eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, individuals with ARFID do not have significant body image concerns. To get help with, call or text us 860-451-9364 for creative, holistic therapy for eating disorders.
Now, does your teenager over exercise or prioritize exercise over other previously valued activities?
Bulimia Nervosa involves cycles of binge eating followed by a purging behavior. People with bulimia will eat an unusually large amount of food in a short period of time and then purge by vomiting, using laxatives, enemas, or diuretics, or by exercising excessively as a way to counteract the binge and avoid gaining weight.
Also, does you teenager only eat certain food groups or nutrients (such as carbs or fats)? Starts following a vegetarian, vegan, paleo, ketogenic, or other restrictive diet?
Binge eating disorder involves eating an unusually large amount of food in a short period of time. People with binge eating disorder feel out of control during these eating episodes and often feel intense shame or guilt afterwards. People with binge eating disorder do not purge after bingeing. To start, call or text us 860-451-9364 for therapy for eating disorders.
For one, do you lose control around food, or consume unusually large amounts of food at one time?
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Other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED) involve some combination of symptoms of the other eating disorders such as an intense fear of weight gain and preoccupation with food (thinking about food or having food related thoughts most of the day) but do not meet full criteria for another eating disorder. Many individuals with OSFED have a variety of eating disorder symptoms.
Disordered eating is a term used to describe the condition when someone doesn’t have all the symptoms of a specific type of eating disorder, but their eating patterns and behaviors put them at risk for developing an eating disorder. For example, extreme dieting or orthorexia (an obsession with healthy eating) can lead to an eating disorder. Prevalence rates or how often eating disorders occur varies with each disorder and are difficult to pinpoint as many people suffering may never seek treatment and/or be diagnosed. Binge eating disorder and OSFED are typically more common than anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Roughly 5.4% of adolescents age 13-18 will suffer from anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder at some point, with the rate of OSFED or disordered eating likely higher.
To begin, book a phone consult for eating disorder confidence, relaxation, and clarity.
Symptoms of Eating Disorders
At times, you can’t tell whether a person is struggling with an eating disorder just by looking at him or her. But, there will be signs of emotional distance, depression, and social disconnection. Sometimes, poor hygiene comes with an eating disorder. Or, obsessive behaviors like over exercising. But, there are often warning signs that are linked to some or all types of eating disorders.
For one, does your teenager skip meals, makes excuses not to eat, or avoid eating in front of others?
Has unusual behaviors around food such as organizing food, and cutting food into small pieces? Or, is your teenager always finding something wrong with food, or pushing food around on the plate?
Teenagers with eating disorders obsessively read nutrition information and count calories. Also, teenagers will constantly weigh themselves or do “body checks.” Overall, a body check is when a teenager looks at their body in the mirror or feels their body with their hands. Then, they make a negative, critical judgement. Also, young adults with eating disorders will chew gum constantly or drinks large amounts of water, coffee, diet soda, or calorie–free drinks. Often, this is in an effort to ward off hunger pangs. At times, young adults with eating disorders use the bathroom after eating or in the middle of meals. Sometimes, they throw up in the restroom and purge.
Sometimes, people with bulimia have scars or calluses on their hands and knuckles (from using fingers to vomit).
Now, does your teenager go on diets often or eats mostly diet foods? Also, people with eating disorders often eat secretively. So, food may be missing from cabinets at home or disappearing quickly. At times, they hide packages in the garbage and wrappers out of shame. At Wisdom Within Counseling, we specialize in eating disorder treatment.
Therapies for Eating Disorders
To add, the severity of the eating disorder and any co-occurring disorders will determine the initial treatment level. However, the major types of therapies for eating disorder are below. Often, therapy for eating disorders is collaborative. Sometimes, the hardest part is the mindset and beliefs rather than feeding.
What is Cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorder treatment?
For one, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on negative patterns of thinking. As well, CBT therapy talks about beliefs that contribute to these negative thought patterns. Further, CBT teaches participants skills that allow them to identify problematic beliefs. CBT therapy supports healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions. With eating disorder therapy, CBT can help with positive self-talk. In relation to eating disorders, CBT may include educational components around nutrition and rational thoughts. Also, the development of a meal plan, familial, psychological, and societal factors can be part of CBT therapy for eating disorders.
To begin, book your phone consult for holistic eating disorder therapy.
Also, Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a holistic method for treatment for various medical conditions and eating disorders. To add, this is achieved by the use of custom meal plans that are usually from a Registered Dietitian. Components of MNT include assessment, dietary modification, and patient education. Also,, MNT is helps those who suffer from eating disorders establish normal, loving, nurturing eating behaviors. Lastly, holistic counseling helps improve one’s relationship with food and body.
Likewise, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a form of psychotherapy that connects cognitive and behavioral methods. To add, DBT therapy is a speciality at Wisdom Within Counseling. And, DBT therapy is an approach to coping with painful emotions. Therefore, the focus of DBT therapy is usually on individuals who react to emotional circumstances with extreme behaviors. Also, DBT can help with building nurturing connections and friendships too. DBT techniques can be beneficial for eating disorder treatment. Lastly, DBT allows individuals to better deal with conflict and stress while gaining increased control over negative thoughts and emotions.
To begin, click a button below for DBT therapy for healthy self-worth and to help with stable, secure relationships from self-love.
Moreover, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps men and women concentrate on ways to become aware of and accept their emotions and experiences. This therapy is beneficial in eating disorder recovery as it helps individuals develop a healthier relationship with their emotions and intellect. ACT is also effective in treating co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety.
At Wisdom Within Counseling, the team of marriage and family therapists offer art. To add, Art Therapy offers art media as its main form of communication and therapeutic healing. Further, men or women who utilize art therapy in treatment are often illustrating personal stories. Therefore, types of art therapy Wisdom Within Counseling includes are painting, clay making, sculpting, and drawing.
To begin, click the button below to book your phone consult for holistic eating disorder therapy for a better body image, self-esteem, and believe in yourself again.
• Dance therapy is a therapeutic form of healing that allows participants to become involved in an alternate way of coping and expressing emotion. Dance therapy also can play a part in achieving a healthy balance as well as an approach to self-expression. Movement is the main way in which dance therapists will observe, evaluate, and apply various interventions. In regards to eating disorders, dance therapy can be influential in healing through guided movements and expressions.
• Equine therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses horses as a tool for emotional growth. Equine therapy is based on the premise that the bond that can grow between humans and animals will allow for emotional healing to occur. Activities that might be involved are care for and grooming of the animal and basic exercises guided by a horse specialist. Men or women who use equine therapy during treatment might have increased self-esteem and body image, particularly as the care for an animal has been shown to be an empowering experience.
• Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) is essential is helping individuals overcome fears and anxiety. This is accomplished by gradually exposing a man or woman to the feared object or circumstance with the goal desensitizing fears. ERP can be effective in the treatment of eating disorders as it helps participants overcome fears of forbidden foods and decrease urges to binge/purge.
How can family therapy help eating disorders and eating disorder behaviors of restrictive thoughts or avoidance?
To begin, family therapy is an important part of treatment in that is involves and works with families and couples. And, at Wisdom Within Counseling, we specialize in family therapy. Therefore, the goal of family therapy is to promote nurturing change and maturation, and sessions are overseen by a family therapist. Family therapy should be considered when a malfunction is observed within a family, contributing to problems that concern the overall ability of the family to function. This form of therapy is crucial to those suffering from eating disorders in that in promotes healing for the entire family and can be helpful in eliminating life-threatening situations.
What is Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) in eating disorder therapy?
To add, Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a form of therapy that focuses on managing interpersonal problem areas. For instance, unresolved grief, role disputes, role transitions, and interpersonal deficits are key areas. Notably, men or women address underlying personal issues and learn how to better cope with anxiety. At Wisdom Within Counseling, under the guidance of a therapist, your teenager can learn skills to build self-esteem and confidence holistically. To begin, call or text 860-451-9364.
In the treatment for eating disorders, IPT has been shown to be beneficial in that is increases self-esteem and body image.
The Maudsley Method focuses on incorporating parents as an active role in their child’s recovery process from eating disorders. Now, this includes guiding parents in helping their child eat balanced, healthy meals. And, these skills prevent use of eating disorder behaviors, such as purging or over-exercising. Often, parents are a huge resource in a teen’s eating disorder. To note, the Maudsley Method typically involves three stages. And, it can be a crucial part of long-term recovery for adolescents with eating disorders. To start, call or text us 860-451-9364 for therapy for eating disorders.
Conclusion on eating disorders
Eating disorders are mental health conditions that usually require treatment. Also, eating disorders can also be damaging to the body if left untreated. Furthermore, people with eating disorders often do not recognize or admit that they are ill. As a result, they may strongly resist getting and staying in treatment. Family members or other trusted individuals can be helpful in ensuring that the person with an eating disorder receives needed care and rehabilitation.
