What Are the Eating Disorders Psychologists Treat?

Author: Erik Johnson

Author: Erik Johnson

The disorders in your eating habits are very much connected with your psychology. Eating disorders are abnormal eating habits that can threaten your health or even your life. Almost everyone is worried about his or her weight occasionally. People with eating disorders take such concerns to extremes. In this article, you would be learning more about eating disorders and how psychologists treat them? The eating disorders include 'anorexia nervosa' where the Individuals believe they are fat even when they are dangerously thin and restrict their eating to the point of starvation, 'bulimia nervosa' where individuals eat excessive amounts of food, then purge by making themselves vomit or using laxatives and 'Binge eating' where people have out-of-control eating patterns, but don't purge. The approach of different psychologists towards these disorders varies according to the pattern of treatment followed by each one of them. According to studies, eating disorders are more seen in women and children. As per the studies, maladaptive eating behaviors and attitudes affect 10 to 15 percent of women. Investigators have also discovered that the behaviors extend beyond anorexia and may be an indictment of societal pressures. Psychologists do not jump into a quick conclusion like other doctors. They adopt a wait and watch approach rather than advocating the patients to take tablets etc. This is because; here the eating disorders are linked to abnormal thinking in the mindset of people. Psychologists are finding effective ways to treat these dangerous disorders. Family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy can help individuals overcome two common eating disorders. In case of anorexia, some psychologists adopt a unique technique called Maudsley's approach. The treatment is a form of family therapy that enlists parents' aid in getting their daughters to eat again. Early in the treatment, psychologists invite the family to share a picnic meal. That gives them a sense of family meal patterns. It also allows them to suggest ways parents can get the child to eat more. The immediate peers of the patients or parents should also establish a good rapport with the psychologist. In weekly sessions, the parents then describe what they have fed their daughter and what's working well. The approach also helps to strengthen the daughters' feelings of independence by gradually letting them take control of their eating. Clinicians also help the family learn how to help the child cope with the challenges of adolescence. In contrast to current treatment, this approach is relative short-term. It relies mostly on outpatient treatment. And as per the opinion of researchers it is successful over the long-term; say researchers and this was proved right by many studies which found that two-thirds of patients regained normal weight without hospitalization. Most showed big improvements in psychological functioning. And parents became less critical of each other and their daughters. With respect to bulimia treatment, the largest controlled study on bulimia so far shows that two types of psychotherapy can help individuals stop bingeing and purging. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps individuals change the unrealistically negative thoughts they have about their appearance and change their eating behaviors. Interpersonal psychotherapy helps individuals improve the quality of their relationships, learn how to address conflicts head-on and expand their social networks. Thus, if you think that you have eating disorders which give you sleepless nights and unwanted thoughts; then go and get consulted with a psychologist. This will give you more confidence about your mental as well physical health.About the Author:

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