Eating disorder treatment

Eating disorder treatment

Eating disorder treatment

The eating disorders

What are eating disorders?

The eating disorders (TA) are serious diseases characterized by physical and cognitive symptoms that can have a profound impact on health and quality of life of the person. There are three categories of eating disorders: bulimia, anorexia and eating disorder not otherwise known. They occur in men and women, but are mostly diagnosed in women. They often appear during adolescence, but may emerge at any time during life. The prevalence of bulimia in the Canadian population is 1 to 8% and anorexia 0.4% to 1%. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, approximately 3% of women will be diagnosed with eating disorder during their lifetime.

Bulimia is characterized by a cyclical habit of binge eating and the use of compensatory strategies. Binge eating is defined as the consumption of a large amount of food in a short period, followed by a feeling of loss of control. Compensatory behaviors are strategies to eliminate unwanted calories including inducing vomiting, abuse of laxatives, use of diuretics, excessive exercise and / or fasting. People with bulimia perceive the shape and weight as basic determinants of self-esteem.

Anorexia is characterized by a significant loss of weight due to starvation, extreme fear of gaining weight or becoming fat and (is) a sense of "obesity" and the perception that the shape and weight are basic determinants of self-esteem. In women, they sometimes lose their menstruation. In some cases, anorexics also experience episodes of binge eating and / or manifestation of compensatory behaviors.

The last category of eating disorders, eating disorders not otherwise called (TANAD) includes those that do not correspond strictly to the criteria for anorexia or bulimia, but still show severe symptoms . The eating disorder is binge with an example of a TANAD and is characterized by episodes of food frenzy, but without compensatory behaviors.

Psychological approaches advocated to treat eating disorders

The eating disorders usually occur when the underlying conflict (eg, interpersonal ex. Emotional or difficulty of life) exceeds the capacity of an individual adaptation. In this sense, despite the serious health consequences, behaviors TA may have a function that the person enjoys in his life; they can be a way to improve self-esteem, communication, correcting a need to control or provide a way to avoid painful emotions. Consequently, the ambivalence about change is common in this group. It is therefore essential that the treatment approach explores the foundations of the disease and match the readiness of the individual.

Treatment of eating disorder has many facets and can be provided by health professionals from various fields (eg. Physician, psychiatrist, psychologist / clinical advisor, dietician, recreation therapist or occupational therapist, and nurses). The treatment can be done individually or in groups and outpatient or hospital / residency.

Various psychological approaches may be used to treat TA, however, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common. In CBT, people learn to monitor themselves to increase their awareness of the relationship between their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. They learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts that trigger or maintain the symptoms of eating disorders as well as strategies to eliminate behaviors TA.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is also used in the treatment of TA. It focuses on understanding the links between episodes of eating disorders and relationship problems. For example, therapy could focus on the difficulties weaving or maintain links on unresolved grief or conflicts with friends or relatives.

Psychology is usually provided in the beginning of treatment. Presented in groups, it provides factual information about the causes of eating disorders as well as strategies to overcome an eating disorder.

Family therapy is recommended for children and adolescents with LD and can also be used for adults. Family approaches aim to help the family to work together to overcome the eating disorder. Groups multifamily therapy can increase and support the sense of community among the families dealing with this disease.

Motivational approaches are becoming more integrated treatment of eating disorder to enable readiness for change. These approaches focus on exploring ambivalence, examining the costs and benefits / pros and cons, exploring the role of the TA in the life of the person and the identification of the most significant values.

How efficacitéde methods of psychology in the treatment of eating disorders?

Research shows that psychology is a useful first-line treatment for people with mild to moderate bulimia. For people with symptoms of bulimia are more pronounced, interpersonal therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy have proven very effective and have been identified as the treatments of choice.

Although research is still considering the best treatment for anorexia, a comprehensive approach that focuses on motivational problems, weight restoration and underlying psychological problems is recommended. Family therapy has proven an essential part of treatment for younger anorexic.