Therapy has been helping different types of people all over the world. But here we will discuss specifically cognitive therapy for those with eating problems.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Eating Disorders
What is behavior therapy? How can it help with eating disorders?
For many, food is life. In fact, consuming food is the common denominator in gatherings and events.
So how does one develop eating disorders? And how does cognitive behavior therapy work for them?
It is one of the most vital aspects of our daily lives. However, for some, food consumption may not always be a delightful act when one’s eating habits become eating disorders.
Having an eating disorder means that a person’s food consumption habits are irregular, inadequate, or excessive. This real condition may be damaging to one’s health, well-being, and even one’s self-esteem. Due to this problem then, one may become overly concerned with regard to his or her weight and shape. Three main types of it include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating condition.
During CBT, patients have the opportunity to work with a therapist to find the source of negative thinking and transform those thoughts into a positive, growth mindset. — Greta Gleissner LCSW
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Eating Disorders
Cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders is a psychological therapeutic approach acknowledging the issues that involve both cognition and behavior. These factors will only result in a cycle of negativism within one’s self. Eating disorders are actually the top causes of low self-esteem and pessimism.
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Thus, behavior cognitive therapy helps an individual recognize his or her behavior, cognition, and habits and strives to create a strategic plan to improve his or her unwanted and injurious eating behavior by also tapping into one’s cognitive issues. Most often, one’s thoughts and emotions play a pivotal role in the person’s health and in the habits, especially in eating, that they perform.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Eating Disorders
Cognitive-Behavioral Model – Addressing Two Factors Of The Condition
Through this cognitive behavior model, the eating disorder may be eased by identifying and addressing both the abnormalities in cognitive and behavior that cause the eating disorder.
Regarding the cognitive element, an individual may tend to be overly anxious about his or her self-worth, weight, and physical appearance. On the other hand, the behavior factor will show that potentially due to this anxiety, the individual will intensely focus on body appearance resulting in a massive constriction of his or her diet or it may turn into excessive eating due to stress and pressure.
It is quite possible that the false self is really doing an ok job at being the true self through the symptoms of an eating disorder. — Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Eating Disorders
- Behavioral Phase
In this behavioral phase, tools and strategies will be maximized to manage the individual’s feelings and emotions that often lead to unhealthy eating behavior. A plan will be formulated to develop new behaviors that would eliminate the unusual eating consumption habits. You can achieve this plan by providing activities and homework during and after the therapy session.
- Cognitive Phase In The Therapy
In this cognitive phase, the contrary ideas and thoughts that trigger irregular eating habits are determined and identified. These thoughts often include concerns about one’s physical appearance, weight, and image. Upon recognizing these, a method to restructure one’s thinking patterns into more positive and refreshed thoughts will be introduced. Through this phase, an individual’s mindset will be strengthened to be more positive and accepting of one’s self.
- Maintenance And Relapse Prevention Phase
One of the primary goals of behavioral therapy for eating disorders is to allow the individual to be once again healthy. Thus, more sessions and activities will be performed to identify underlying and broader issues and conflicts that may eventually cause the individual to return to the old habits. Monitoring the performance of new behaviors will also be performed through constant communication after the sessions.
For more information on the benefits of behavior therapy, check this out: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/therapy/benefits-of-behavioral-therapy/.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Eating Disorders: Takeaway
Eating is usually an activity that involves joyous conversations, gratitude, and fond memories. Thus, to maintain a healthy eating diet and habit, it is best always to keep a positive mindset and to be mindful of symptoms that might be leading to an eating disorder. Moreover, weight and physical appearances may be of importance, but one might always keep in mind that it is not and should not be a determinant of one’s value and self-worth.