Eating disorders can affect people physically, emotionally, and socially.
Eating disorders include Binge Eating Disorder (BED), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and Anorexia Nervosa (AN). Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by consuming large quantities of food and results in feelings of guilt. It is the most common type of eating disorder. Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (like vomiting, using laxatives, or excessive exercise) to try to make up for the calories consumed. Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by restrictive calorie intake, often resulting in low body weight and negative body image.
Therapy for Eating Disorders
Types of therapy that are used to treat eating disorders include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy. CBT helps to improve emotional regulation and negative thought patterns by changing the way you think and process thoughts. It aids in replacing negative unhealthy thoughts with positive healthy thoughts, therefore changing your behaviors.
Topics addressed during cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders may include thoughts and beliefs about food, body weight, and body image.
Because unconscious processes manifest in a person’s behaviors, psychodynamic therapy helps find recurring patterns in beliefs and thoughts.
