Eating Disorders
MIND WELL
Eating Disorders are mental health illnesses. A key characteristic of eating disorders is the person’s intense concern and preoccupation with body weight and body image and the control of eating and weight. The main categories are:
Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, and Binge eating disorder.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a serious disorder. Its main characteristic is voluntary weight loss, as the person feels that is fat, while objectively it is not overweight. There is a voluntary restriction of food intake with the person significantly reducing the amounts of food, excluding foods that are considered fattening. In addition, to maintain weight control there is intense and compulsive physical exercise and/or purging behaviors (inducing vomiting, using laxatives). Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that can be life-threatening, as it is a disorder with the highest mortality rate.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a serious disorder. Its main characteristic is voluntary weight loss, as the person feels that is fat, while objectively it is not overweight. There is a voluntary restriction of food intake with the person significantly reducing the amounts of food, excluding foods that are considered fattening. In addition, to maintain weight control there is intense and compulsive physical exercise and/or purging behaviors (inducing vomiting, using laxatives). Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that can be life-threatening, as it is a disorder with the highest mortality rate.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is an equally serious condition characterized by bulimic episodes and an overvaluation of body weight and body image in the person’s sense of worth. The main axis of self-evaluation (sense of self-worth), attractiveness, and body worth is the pursuit of a perfect body and weight. In bulimia nervosa there are 2 extremes of control where the person tries to eat as little as possible and then due to hunger or strong emotions they go into bulimia. The disorder manifests itself in 2 phases. In the first phase, the person consumes large quantities of food very quickly, uncontrollably, without consciousness. In the second phase, feelings of fear of weight gain, guilt, and resentment lead to self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives and/or diuretics, and vigorous exercise.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is an equally serious condition characterized by bulimic episodes and an overvaluation of body weight and body image in the person’s sense of worth. The main axis of self-evaluation (sense of self-worth), attractiveness, and body worth is the pursuit of a perfect body and weight. In bulimia nervosa there are 2 extremes of control where the person tries to eat as little as possible and then due to hunger or strong emotions they go into bulimia. The disorder manifests itself in 2 phases. In the first phase, the person consumes large quantities of food very quickly, uncontrollably, without consciousness. In the second phase, feelings of fear of weight gain, guilt, and resentment lead to self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives and/or diuretics, and vigorous exercise.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by binge eating episodes, i.e. episodes of uncontrolled and impulsive consumption of large amounts of food. There is an absence of inappropriate compensatory behaviors to control body weight, while the individual experiences anxiety, guilt, and resentment about the episodes. In some cases there is weight gain and alternating with periods of repeated dieting. In the majority of cases the person is driven to binge eating episodes to regulate their negative emotions.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by binge eating episodes, i.e. episodes of uncontrolled and impulsive consumption of large amounts of food. There is an absence of inappropriate compensatory behaviors to control body weight, while the individual experiences anxiety, guilt, and resentment about the episodes. In some cases there is weight gain and alternating with periods of repeated dieting. In the majority of cases the person is driven to binge eating episodes to regulate their negative emotions.
Eating Disorders are not a problem with eating, it is not stubbornness and also it is not a conscious choice. They are mental illnesses and need treatment and support. Their treatment is mainly based on psychotherapy. At the same time, in many cases the cooperation of a group of experts is also necessary, such as a psychiatrist, a nutritionist and a pathologist. The indicated and one of the most effective forms of treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
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Frequently asked questions
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is the treatment of psychological issues and mental disorders carried out mainly through discussion and communication between the therapist and the patient, rather than through the use of pharmaceuticals or other medical and biological methods. There are different types of psychotherapy: individual, group, couple and family. Psychotherapy is a systematic approach to understanding mental health problems and a method of dealing with psychological problems and difficulties. It is based on clinically proven theories, good clinical practice with the application of specific techniques and interventions to address the causes of psychological problems, and is supported by empirical data. According to the British Psychological Society, psychotherapy is considered an additional qualification for someone already working as a psychologist or psychiatrist. To specialize in psychotherapy, training in a specific psychotherapy model is necessary. There are different approaches to psychotherapy for a psychiatrist and a psychologist (e.g. psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, systemic, etc.).
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
Many people confuse and equate the role of a psychologist with that of a psychiatrist, since both are mental health professionals. However,there are significant differences. A psychiatrist is a doctor, that practices the medical specialty of Psychiatry and can prescribe medication to relieve discomfort and treat mental health disorders, whenever it is required. Psychiatry is a specialized category of medicine that includes the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research of mental disorders. Psychiatry differs from psychology in that it approaches emotional and behavioral problems using a medical model. A psychologist is not a doctor and cannot prescribe psychotropic medication. However, in many cases the two specialties can work together and help to deal with psychological difficulties.
Is there a possibility that I might need medication?
There is a possibility that, after the evaluation and in the context of the therapeutic planning, the therapist could also propose collaboration with a psychiatrist for the administration of medication. The answer to the question: “Is there a possibility that I might need medication?” is not simple. Prescribed medication is necessary in specific disorders and is useful in cases where the person is in a period of exacerbation of a certain problem. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is combined with pharmacotherapy in specific cases for better therapeutic results and until there is a remission of the unpleasant symptoms. Medication is not helpful in personal difficulties that are not due to the existence of a mental disorder and in functioning problems that exist in the personality level.
Will treatment help me?
There is a possibility that, after the evaluation and in the context of the therapeutic planning, the therapist will also propose collaboration with a psychiatrist for the administration of medication. The answer to the question: “It may be normal to have some misgivings about whether to start treatment because there are doubts about the prospect of improvement and fears about the process and the impending change. That’s why some clients go into the process of postponing (“It’s not the right time”) or avoiding altogether. The truth is that you cannot be sure in advance whether the treatment will help you. There is no such thing as a “right time”, and any delay can exacerbate any difficulty. However, it is worth giving yourself the opportunity to try and do something that can bring about a significant change in your life, as this is a highly effective treatment that has helped many people. Finally, if you have decided that that the desired changes are not there, you can stop.
Can I stop before the treatment is completed?
Some people stop treatment without completing it. This can be due to several reasons. For example, some patients stop treatment when initial goals have been met and they feel better, or conversely, when they believe there is no improvement and they are not doing well enough. Improvement is gradual and comes with time and effort. Changes occur upon completion of the treatment. When there are similar concerns and thoughts it would be beneficial and helpful to discuss them in therapy.
What happens when there is a lack of improvement?
There is also the possibility that a long period of time may pass without progress (no change in your thoughts and mood). In this case it will be necessary to: investigate the possible problems that may have arisen within the therapeutic relationship, deal with the behaviors that hinder the therapeutic process, review the interpretation and the plan for each case, and choose different techniques and interventions that best meet your specifics.
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