Counselling for Eating Disorders

What are signs to look for to determine if you or a loved one has an eating disorder?

• Constant weight fluctuations
• Engaging in ritualistic eating patterns where you cut food into tiny pieces, hide food, or eat by yourself
• Switching between overeating and fasting
• Depression or lethargic state
• Chronic dieting even when dangerously underweight

You need help if thinking about and eating food interferes with your life. Eating disorders keep you from positively moving forward. How can we help you?

Let’s take a look at some of the possible reasons you may have an eating disorder. An eating disorder is usually contributed to a mix of psychological, environmental, and biological factors.

Biological Factors:

• Nutritional Deficiencies
• Irregular hormone functions

Psychological Contributors:

• Low self-esteem
• Negative body image

Environmental Factors:

• Family and childhood trauma including sexual abuse
• Dysfunctional family dynamic

There are 3 most common types of eating disorders which include:

• Anorexia Nervosa:An obsessive fear of gaining weight so you eat very little to the point that it’s an unhealthy amount of food. Some results: brain damage, heart difficulties, and infertility
• Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating compensated by forced vomiting, extreme use of laxatives or diuretics, and excessive exercise out of fear of gaining weight. Some injuring effects: gastrointestinal problems, heart troubles, and severe dehydration
• Binge Eating Disorder: You lose control over your eating and eat excessive amounts of food which can cause you to be obese. A result: cardiovascular disease

Treatments:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This is the leading evidence-based treatment for adults with an eating disorder and can be adjusted to suit children as well. Our therapists teach you how to change your self-defeating thought patterns into helpful ways to improve your mood to take control over your life. You come to understand that you can do what you want as we change the way you think about your symptoms.
• Behaviour Therapy: We look at the current problems influencing you and teach you how to change your behaviour to impact the problem.
• Hypnotherapy: A form of relaxed concentration, hypnotherapy focuses on your unconscious to work through issues that may otherwise be inaccessible.
• Mindfulness: Combining cognitive behavioural therapy with meditation, we teach you how to disengage from negative thinking and become more aware of the present moment.

Eating disorders typically develop during adolescence or early adulthood and can be caused by feelings of helplessness or distress. It is vital that you get your child help as soon as you notice signs of an eating disorder. The sooner your child gets treatment, the less likely they are to have health issues due to an eating disorder as an adult.

Adults may know they have an eating disorder whereas a child is less likely to understand what they are doing to their body. As an adult with an eating disorder, you too, need help especially if you notice yourself going through extreme mood swings or frequently checking yourself in the mirror for flaws.

The Family Psychology Place takes into consideration your circumstances to best help you find a solution that works for your life. Every one of us is different and an eating disorder can affect you if you are male, female, young, or old. Always pay attention to your thoughts and actions. We can help you find a solution that will relax you and allow you to live a healthy, bright life.