Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are complex disorders affecting millions of people, and can cause severe physical and psychological harm. Recognizing symptoms early and getting help is important to prevent long term damage to the body. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder, are characterized by distorted perceptions of body image, obsessive thoughts about food, and unhealthy eating behaviors.
A crucial aspect of eating disorder treatment is helping individuals rebuild trust with their bodies. Therapy plays a pivotal role in addressing the psychological and emotional challenges associated with these disorders. Therapy for eating disorders can help people build a trusting, healing relationship with their body, their inner world, and with food.
Understanding Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are not just about food; they stem from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors and are a way of coping with overwhelming experiences or trauma. Individuals struggling with eating disorders often experience profound body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem, and have a sense that they can not trust or listen to their bodies' innate wisdom. They may engage in extreme dieting, purging, or overeating as coping mechanisms for their emotional distress. These behaviors can lead to significant physical health consequences, from malnutrition to organ damage, and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Therapy for Eating Disorders
At Self Space, we approach treatment for eating disorders with a Health at Every Size®, weight inclusive, non-diet, and body trust perspective. We believe that the body often holds the impact of trauma and suffering, and in therapy we can begin to reconnect, soothe, and care for our whole selves. We do this by keeping as a priority the physical wellbeing of our clients, and so eating disorder treatment will include coordinating care with other medical and nutritional advisors.
