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EATING DISORDER COUNSELLING

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An eating disorder involves an abnormal or disturbed relationship with food. There are various categories and intensities of abnormal eating patterns, such as: binge eating, excessive dieting, food and weight concerns, shape concerns, and body image concerns. These issues can be detrimental to an individual’s mental and/or physical health. Please see below for detailed descriptions of three very common eating disorders.

Binge Eating Disorder

Eating excessively at least 2-3 times per week without a compensatory behaviour. A compensatory behavior would be exercising, undereating, or purging in attempt to reverse the effects of the binge

Bulimia Nervosa

Most individuals with bulimia nervosa are of normal body weight, in relation to their BMI (Body Mass Index)
Recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory purging behaviours, which includes one or more of: self-induced vomiting, over-exercising, and/ or the usage of diuretics, enemas, and/or laxatives

Anorexia Nervosa

Individuals with anorexia nervosa are most often below healthy body weight (in relation to their BMI, or Body Mass Index)
Thoughts of someone with this disorder often encompass an overwhelming, obsessive fear of gaining weight
Extreme food restriction to the point of self-starvation and excessive weight loss

There are 2 types of anorexia nervosa: restricting type (over-exercise and starvation to avoid gaining weight) and binge/purge type (overeat and then compensate through purging).

What is Involved with Eating Disorder Counselling

Eating disorder treatment depends on your particular disorder and your symptoms. It typically includes a combination of psychotherapy or counselling, nutrition education, medical monitoring and sometimes medications.

Eating disorder treatment also involves addressing other health problems caused by an eating disorder, which can be serious or even life-threatening if they go untreated for too long. If an eating disorder doesn't improve with standard treatment or causes health problems, you may need hospitalization or another type of inpatient program.

Having an organized approach to eating disorder treatment can help you manage symptoms, return to a healthy weight, and maintain your physical and mental health.

Setting up a treatment plan

You and your therapist determine what your needs are and come up with goals and guidelines. Your therapist works with you to:

Develop a treatment plan. This includes a plan for treating your eating disorder and setting treatment goals. It also makes it clear what to do if you're not able to stick with your plan.
Treat physical complications. Your treatment team monitors and addresses any health and medical issues that are a result of your eating disorder.
Identify resources. Your treatment team can help you discover what resources are available in your area to help you meet your goals.
Work to identify affordable treatment options. Hospitalization and outpatient programs for treating eating disorders can be expensive, and insurance may not cover all the costs of your care. Talk with your treatment team about financial issues and any concerns — don't avoid treatment because of the potential cost.

What Does Eating Disorder Counselling

(Psychotherapy) Treat

Psychotherapy is the most important component of eating disorder treatment. It involves seeing a Psychotherapist or another mental health professional on a regular basis.

Therapy may last from a few months to years. It can help you to:

Normalize your eating patterns and achieve a healthy weight
Exchange unhealthy habits for healthy ones
Learn how to monitor your eating and your moods
Develop problem-solving skills
Explore healthy ways to cope with stressful situations
Improve your relationships
Improve your mood

You are the most important member of your treatment team. For successful treatment, you need to be actively involved in your treatment and so do your family members and other loved ones. Your therapist can provide education and tell you where to find more information and support.