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.
