Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "How to overcome eating disorders from a psychological perspective", In psychology, Eating Disorders or, in the context of digital behavior, it may refer to an obsession with external validation (such as scores), This symptom appears when someone has a sensitive assessment of the food they are consuming, In addition, prolonged stress can disrupt eating schedules.
Here are the management steps from a psychological perspective:
1. Professional Therapy Approaches
Psychotherapy is the frontline treatment for these disorders. Several evidence-based methods include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Enhanced (CBT-E): This is the gold standard. It focuses on changing distorted thought patterns about body image, weight, and food, as well as improving unhealthy eating behaviors.
- Family-Based Treatment (FBT): Highly effective for adolescents. Families are actively involved to help monitor eating patterns and provide emotional support at home.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Helps patients manage intense emotions and develop stress tolerance without using food as an escape mechanism.
2. Nutritional and Medical Management
Psychology does not work in isolation in this matter. Collaboration with other specialists is required:
- Nutritional Counseling: Work with a dietitian to rebuild a healthy relationship with food and understand the body’s energy needs.
- Medical Monitoring: Ensure that bodily organ functions remain stable, as eating disorders often have adverse effects on the heart and digestive system.
3. Self-Help Recovery Strategies
Small steps that can be taken to support the therapy process:
- Identify Triggers: Keep track of which situations or feelings typically trigger disordered eating behaviors (e.g., stress, loneliness, or viewing social media content).
- Mindful Eating: Learn to intuitively listen to the body’s hunger and fullness signals, rather than following self-imposed strict rules.
- Social Media Detox: Avoid content that promotes unrealistic beauty standards or excessive diet culture.
Role of Loved Ones
If you want to help someone with this condition:
- Listen without judgment: Avoid commenting on their physical appearance, even if your intention is to compliment them.
- Focus on feelings, not food: Instead of asking "Why aren’t you eating?", it’s better to ask "How are you feeling today?"
- Encourage consultation: Urge them to see a psychologist or psychiatrist as soon as possible.
Important Note: Eating disorders are serious medical conditions with a high mortality rate if left untreated. Self-diagnosis is strongly discouraged.