Eating Disorder Treatments
Eating Disorder Treatments are available for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and target the both the physiologic effects of the disorder as well as the psychological aspects of food. Though there are many schools of thought with regard to eating disorders and the pratice of therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy has emerged as the real leader in terms of treatment success. It is probably the most widely used treatment in practice today for the simple reason that both research and clinical case reports have yielded success beyond other modes of therapy. Also valuable in conjunction with CBT is a psychodynamic perspective which can help clients gain insight into the special and harmful meanings they have created with food. With that in mind, it is important to note that there are various adjunctive treatment that are supportive of cognitive behavior therapy such as group therapy and other self help approaches.
Eating disorder treatments usually are individualized based upon a client's level of functioning, their physical health, and their legal status. It is important for each client to undergo a comprehensive evaluation which includes a physical exam with lab work in order to determine how seriously the disorder in question has affected one's physiology. For individuals who are hovering above their minimum body weight, outpatient psychotherapy may be all that is needed to progress and eventually recover from the diesorder. Group therapy may be helpful too since it can be comforting to find a population of similarly minded individuals from whom one can gain support. It is also therapeutic to provide help to others so group therapy has more than one benefit. And of course, it always helps to see other's perspectives on similar issues as it helps to put our own perspectives in place.
If a client is unable to maintain a healthy weight or if there are other indications that the disorder has progressed to a dangerous level (e.g. electrolytes may be depleted in bulimia which may lead to sudden death) then a client may benefit from either a residential treatment facility or an inpatient hospital program. One of the biggest problems in treatment eating disorders, particularly in adult populations is that the treatment is largely voluntary. Sometimes, this results in premature termination of treatment.
The process of therapy involves having a client learn about the meaning food has for them and the food and eating rituals they have constructed. It involves having them examine their self esteem and the self image. And most importantly it involves having one look at their issues of control, feeling out of control, feeling over controled, and the reasons for restricting one's diet or binging and purging. With a good therapist, and some dedicated work, eating disorder treatments can help you overcome anorexia and bulimia. Very often depression is a part of this disorder and therapy can be helpful to address this as well.
The Perfect Body
What is the perfect body? Well, it really depends on what you think. Unfortunately, we will usually allow others to define our view on what is perfect. The magazines and media usually show the most perfect body who is usually; anorexic looking (thin beyond normal) with plastic parts, cosmetic touch ups with make up by the pounds, and hair that looks so naturally beautiful that it only took 10 hours of work (color included).
So what is the perfect body for you? It means that you have to feel good about what is a reasonable and attainable look. You have to accept your body with great appreciation. If you listen to every comment about you, then you become a victim of others point of view. The fact is that there is no one type of perfect body. There is only the perception of what is a perfect body for you. Really, look around, people love one another, are great friends, and there is no one look that changes this fact. Learn to set reasonable goals for your self. Stop allowing others to determine your own self worth.