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Treatment for eating disorders involves much more than food. While medical intervention may be required in order to stabilize the condition of a person with a severe eating disorder, recovery is dependent upon that individual working through the issues that caused the eating disorder in the first place. Eating disorder therapy may help the person explore the reasons behind their behaviours, and facilitate the establishment of new and healthier eating patterns.
Sometimes, the whole family needs therapy in order to promote the best environment to support their loved-one in recovery. It is important to understand that the problem is not simple to resolve. Often, the relationship is damaged between the person with the eating disorder and other family members, who may find the eating disorder frustrating, stressful, and difficult to understand. It is counterproductive for others to demand that a person with an eating disorder stop purging or starving themselves. Unfortunately, in an effort to “fix” the problem, some family members may become intrusive and controlling, causing the person with the eating disorder to distance themselves.
Therapy can offer a person with anorexia or bulimia the opportunity to examine their own relationship with food in a supportive setting. Psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as interpersonal difficulties or abuse can all contribute to the development of an eating disorder.
Some individuals with bulimia or anorexia use food to avoid having to face problems, or cope with overwhelming feelings. Others find themselves controlling their food intake and/or weight in an effort to re-gain some power or control in their lives.
There are many ways that eating disorder therapy can benefit a person in recovery. Talking with a therapist can help a person re-establish positive self-esteem and empowerment. Most importantly, a therapist can assist a person with an eating disorder to develop specific strategies to cope with their feelings and overcome negative thoughts.
Photo: Dan Colcer. http://sxc.hu
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The information provided on EatingDisordersOnline.com is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information is solely for informational and educational purposes and we encourage all visitors to see a licensed physician if they believe that they have an eating disorder. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Neither the owners or employees of EatingDisordersOnline.com nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Please see our Legal Statement for further information.
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Eating Disorder Support Groups at SupportGroups.com provides a network for those facing life's challenges. Click on the following links to get the support you need in a confidential, caring environment.
If you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder and need help entering into recovery then we are here to offer help in any way we can. We have over 2,000 Treatment Facilities and Treatment Professionals listed on our Directory. You can search by Zip Code, City or State. Click here to search for a Treatment Facility that is right for you.
