Eating Disorders (ED):
Many, many individuals struggle with eating disorders. The Pandemic seemed to increase the number of patients struggling with these issues as teenagers no longer went to school, and kids and adults were limited socially. Parents may notice their child weighing themselves more obsessively, restricting or refusing foods. At Launch, we treat patients who undereat (Anorexia or Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder/ARFID), binge (bulimia and others) or overeat. For Anorexia and often for ARFID, the patient needs to gain weight to return to health. To best combat these difficulties and to treat eating disorders generally, forming a team that includes the psychologist, a dietician, and a medical provider enables a combined focus on physical and mental health.
Treatment is always tailored specifically to each patient, but often we use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Self Compassion and Mindfulness techniques to treat most ED patients. In addition, family member inclusion in sessions is also often helpful to support change. For Anorexic patients, we often work with Dieticians using the Maudsley Method of treatment which means that parents are integral in increasing their child's food intake.
Body Image Issues:
Body image issues occur for many individuals regardless of size and shape, and they are often seen in individuals who struggle with eating disorders. Kids, teens, and adults often check themselves in mirrors or any reflective surface and over-focus on any perceived imperfection on their face or their body. Individuals who engage in these behaviors can treat themselves harshly and unkindly and can become despairing about their looks. To treat these issues, we use the therapies listed above to help patients tolerate negative thoughts and stop the behavior of over-focusing on parts of their bodies that they find distressing. The goal with these patients is acceptance of their shape and looks, and improved confidence and mood.
Over-eating and binging:
Patients who present with over-eating and binging are treated similarly because they often have body image issues. However, there is also a focus on decreasing the shame that often accompanies these issues. Self-acceptance and body acceptance is important even when the goal is change. We work to build self-compassion and self love, increase awareness of triggers to binge or over-eating behaviors and the use of alternative coping strategies. In addition, exercise is always encouraged for all patients if it is medically safe for them to engage in these behaviors. We also work with the individual to identify exercises or even hobbies that they enjoy and prioritize friendships and relationships to increase happiness. Lastly, CBT, DBT and self-compassion are key in treating over-eating and binge behaviors.
Many, many individuals struggle with eating disorders. The Pandemic seemed to increase the number of patients struggling with these issues as teenagers no longer went to school, and kids and adults were limited socially. Parents may notice their child weighing themselves more obsessively, restricting or refusing foods. At Launch, we treat patients who undereat (Anorexia or Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder/ARFID), binge (bulimia and others) or overeat. For Anorexia and often for ARFID, the patient needs to gain weight to return to health. To best combat these difficulties and to treat eating disorders generally, forming a team that includes the psychologist, a dietician, and a medical provider enables a combined focus on physical and mental health.
Treatment is always tailored specifically to each patient, but often we use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Self Compassion and Mindfulness techniques to treat most ED patients. In addition, family member inclusion in sessions is also often helpful to support change. For Anorexic patients, we often work with Dieticians using the Maudsley Method of treatment which means that parents are integral in increasing their child's food intake.
Body Image Issues:
Body image issues occur for many individuals regardless of size and shape, and they are often seen in individuals who struggle with eating disorders. Kids, teens, and adults often check themselves in mirrors or any reflective surface and over-focus on any perceived imperfection on their face or their body. Individuals who engage in these behaviors can treat themselves harshly and unkindly and can become despairing about their looks. To treat these issues, we use the therapies listed above to help patients tolerate negative thoughts and stop the behavior of over-focusing on parts of their bodies that they find distressing. The goal with these patients is acceptance of their shape and looks, and improved confidence and mood.
Over-eating and binging:
Patients who present with over-eating and binging are treated similarly because they often have body image issues. However, there is also a focus on decreasing the shame that often accompanies these issues. Self-acceptance and body acceptance is important even when the goal is change. We work to build self-compassion and self love, increase awareness of triggers to binge or over-eating behaviors and the use of alternative coping strategies. In addition, exercise is always encouraged for all patients if it is medically safe for them to engage in these behaviors. We also work with the individual to identify exercises or even hobbies that they enjoy and prioritize friendships and relationships to increase happiness. Lastly, CBT, DBT and self-compassion are key in treating over-eating and binge behaviors.