Many people experience challenges with disordered eating. This includes, but is not limited to, anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, and ARFID. Whether or not you have a diagnosis like this, therapy can help you improve your relationship with food. Eating disorder therapy also addresses body image issues. Different types of therapy can help provide many benefits.
What Is An Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is a mental health condition characterized by an unhealthy relationship with food and body image. Eating disorders can involve a range of behaviors and attitudes, such as restricting food intake, binge-eating, purging, or excessive exercise. They often co-occur with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions.
Note that although we use the term “disorder,” that’s merely a medical term. There is nothing “wrong” with you or unusual about having an eating disorder. The only reason it’s problematic is because it’s impacting your life or wellness. If it’s something you want to change or understand better, therapy can help.
Types of Eating Disorders
There are several common types of eating disorders that people come to therapy for help with. These include:
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by a fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, and a distorted body image. People with anorexia often restrict their food intake and may also engage in excessive exercise, purging, or other behaviors to lose weight. People with anorexia may obsessively count calories and avoid foods they deem “unhealthy” or “fattening.” They may also develop rituals around food, such as cutting food into tiny pieces or avoiding eating in front of others. Anorexia can lead to social isolation and withdrawal from friends and family. Anorexia is often associated with other mental health symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance abuse.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by binge eating followed by purging behaviors, such as vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics, or excessive exercise.
Binge-eating disorder
Binge-eating disorder involves frequent episodes of overeating, often accompanied by a feeling of loss of control. Unlike bulimia, people with binge-eating disorder do not engage in purging behaviors. People with bulimia may obsess about their weight, shape, and appearance and feel ashamed or guilty after bingeing and purging. People with bulimia may experience mood swings, anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
A disorder where an individual avoids certain foods or has restrictions on their intake due to sensory issues, fear of adverse consequences such as choking, or other reasons that affect their eating habits and overall health.
Pica
A disorder where an individual has an intense craving for non-food substances such as dirt, chalk, paper, or other non-nutritive items. This behavior can be harmful to their health.
Rumination disorder
A disorder where an individual regurgitates food that they have already swallowed, rechews it, and then either spits it out or swallows it again.
Orthorexia
A disorder where an individual becomes obsessed with eating only “clean” or “healthy” foods, to the point where it interferes with their daily life and leads to malnutrition.
Diabulimia
A disorder where individuals with Type 1 diabetes deliberately skip insulin injections or reduce their insulin dose to lose weight, putting themselves at risk of serious health complications.
How Therapy Helps With Eating Disorders
Therapy can be a crucial component of the treatment of eating disorders, as it can help individuals address the underlying psychological and emotional issues that contribute to their disordered eating behaviors. Here are a few ways that therapy can help treat eating disorders:
Identify underlying issues
Eating disorders are often rooted in deeper emotional and psychological issues, such as low self-esteem, trauma, anxiety, or depression. A therapist can help individuals identify and explore these underlying issues in a safe and supportive environment.
Improve self-esteem
Eating disorders can often be fueled by negative beliefs about one’s self-worth and body image. Therapy can help individuals develop a more positive self-image and build their self-esteem.
Develop healthy coping skills
Eating disorders can develop as a way to cope with difficult emotions and stress. Therapy can help individuals develop healthier coping skills, such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and problem-solving strategies.
Address family and relationship issues
Family and relationship problems can contribute to the development of eating disorders. Therapy can help individuals address these issues and develop healthier communication and relationship skills.
Build social support
Eating disorders can be isolating and can lead to social withdrawal. Therapy can help individuals build social support and develop healthier communication and relationship skills.
Promote physical health
Eating disorders can have significant impacts on physical health. Therapy can help individuals develop healthier eating habits and address physical symptoms associated with the disorder.
Enhanced emotional regulation
Eating disorders can involve intense emotions, such as anxiety, guilt, and shame. Therapy can help individuals develop skills to better manage and regulate their emotions, which can improve their overall mental health.
More effective communication with healthcare providers
Therapy can help individuals communicate more effectively with their healthcare providers, which can lead to more effective treatment and improved outcomes.
Greater sense of control
Eating disorders can leave individuals feeling out of control. Therapy can help individuals regain a sense of control over their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, which can be empowering and help them feel more confident in their ability to recover.
Support recovery
Therapy can provide ongoing support and guidance throughout the recovery process, helping individuals navigate the challenges and setbacks that may arise.
Prevent relapse
Therapy can provide ongoing support and guidance throughout the recovery process, helping individuals navigate the challenges and setbacks that may arise.
Types of Therapy for Eating Disorders
There are different types of therapy that can help you through the challenges of disordered eating. You may try one or more of the following:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. In the context of eating disorders, CBT can help individuals identify and challenge distorted beliefs about food, weight, and body image, and develop healthier coping strategies.
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy might be what you think of when you think of talk therapy. You use it to explore unconscious thoughts and feelings. You may uncover stuff that you didn’t even realize contributes to eating disorder behaviors.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the connection between the mind and body, and how this connection can impact emotional and psychological well-being. In the context of eating disorders, somatic therapy can help individuals explore how their emotions and thoughts are experienced in their bodies, and how this relates to their disordered eating behaviors. Somatic therapy for eating disorders may involve a range of techniques and practices, including mindful eating, body awareness, movement therapy, breath work, and sensorimotor psychotherapy techniques.
Family-based therapy (FBT)
FBT, also known as the Maudsley approach, is a type of therapy that involves the family in the treatment process. The therapy is typically used for adolescents with eating disorders, and it focuses on helping the family support the individual’s recovery.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
IPT is a type of therapy that focuses on improving relationships and communication skills. In the context of eating disorders, IPT can help individuals address interpersonal issues that may contribute to their disordered eating behaviors.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
DBT is a type of therapy that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. It can be particularly helpful for individuals with eating disorders who also struggle with emotion regulation.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
ACT is a type of therapy that focuses on accepting and managing difficult thoughts and feelings, rather than trying to eliminate them. It can be particularly helpful for individuals with eating disorders who struggle with perfectionism and negative self-talk.
Mindfulness-based therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy involves developing a greater awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in the present moment. It can be particularly useful for individuals who struggle with emotional regulation and can help them develop healthier coping strategies.
Art therapy
Art therapy involves using creative activities, such as drawing, painting, or sculpting, as a means of expression and exploration. Art therapy can be particularly useful for individuals who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally, as it provides an alternative means of communication.
Dance/movement therapy
Dance/movement therapy involves using movement and dance as a means of self-expression and exploration. It can be particularly helpful for individuals who struggle with body image issues and can help them develop a more positive relationship with their bodies.
Animal-assisted therapy
Animal-assisted therapy involves working with animals, such as dogs, horses, or cats, to promote healing and relaxation. Animals can provide a sense of comfort and support, and the therapy can be particularly helpful for individuals who have difficulty forming connections with people.
Virtual reality therapy
Virtual reality therapy involves using virtual reality technology to create simulated environments that allow individuals to confront and overcome their fears and anxieties. It can be particularly helpful for individuals with phobias or anxiety disorders.
Nutrition counseling
Nutrition counseling involves working with a registered dietitian to develop a healthy eating plan and learn about nutrition. It can be particularly helpful for individuals with eating disorders who need guidance on developing a healthy relationship with food. Obviously, this is different from working with a therapist. You might, however, do this in conjunction with therapy.
Next Steps
We want to help you through challenges that you might be experiencing as a result of a possible eating disorder. You can contact us today for a consultation. Alternatively, browse our therapist directory to find the therapist who is right for you. You can use the dropdown boxes in the directory to filter for therapists who treat eating disorders using the types of therapy that you prefer.
Note: ChatGPT generates some of our content for us on this website. However, all articles are edited and supplemented with original content by one of our professional writers who has a Masters degree in psychological studies.