Center for Growth / Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorders
Suggestions for the professional who is working with cilents who are suffering from Bulimia Nervosa and / or Binge Eating Disorder (IPT, CBT)
The Principles of CBT
* CBT is active and structured
* CBT has a string educational component
* CBT includes self-monitoring (the client weighting themselves one time a week, completing a food Journal)
* CBT focuses on the connection between Thoughts, Feelings, and behavior
* CBT emphasizes correcting misperceptions and examining beliefs about food, weight, body image, and eating disorder symptoms.
* CBT for Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder also stresses behavioral changes such as establighing eating patterns (eating at regular times) and reducing restricting dieting. This has been shown to break the vicious cycle of depravation, binging and purging.
CBT also focuses on examining the client’s preoccupation with body image and attempting to decrease their excessive preoccupation with trying to achieve an ideal body.
* CBT therapy for Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder can be done in an individual or group setting.
(IPT) Interpersonal Psychotherapy , a brief overview IPT is a type of therapy that focuses on interpersonal relationships. It can be done in an individual or group setting. It has shown to be successful for treating people with Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. The therapist providing IPT takes an active role in the therapy. The therapist is supportive and compassionate through the course of therapy. IPT focuses on the relationship issues that may have contributed to the development and continuation of the eating disorder.
Why does IPT make sense for the treatment of my Bulimia Nervosa or Binge eating Disorder? Many women with Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder are very concerned with being liked by other people. Therefore, they criticize themselves and their mood drops when they have a perceived negative interaction with another person or a group of people. This drop in mood is often a trigger for eating disorder behaviors. Ipt focuses on eliminating eating disorder symptoms by improving the qualty of relationships and assisting clients in developing the skills to obtain a positive support network.
Common interpersonal issues reported by people with Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder Include
* Difficulty socializing
* Past and current family problems
* Loneliness
* Lack of social support
* Problems forming and maintaining meaningful relationships with men
* Marital problems
The therapist treating the patient from an IPT framework will ask the client to identify their most significant relationships. Then they will examine the nature of these relationships and explore the following the following.
* What is the Frequency of contact with each significant person (e.g., every day, once a week)
* What are the Positive and negative aspects of your relationships?
* What are the Activities you participate in with others? (E.g. food shopping, hiking)
* What would you like to change in your relationships?
The therapist also reviews significant relationships from the past (A former boyfriend, a parent who is now deceased)
The therapist will also explore significant life events (e.g., switching careers, Traveling to Europe) and see how these events have affected you emotionally.
Four main problem areas are evaluated.
1. GRIEF
2. INTERPERSONAL DISPUTES
3. ROLE TRANSITIONS
4. INTERPERSONAL DEFICITS
.
EXAMPLES OF ROLE TRANSITION ISSUES
Graduation
Moving
Family change,
The Beginning or ending an important relationship.
Levels of Care for Bulimia:
Outpatient: Generally people will begin treatment for Bulimia through outpatient care, unless they are medically unstable or their symptoms are very severe. A higher level of care may not be necessary for someone with Bulimia Nervosa.
IOP: IOP
Inpatient: Inpatient may be necessary if someone is purging multiple times per day or if they need close medical monitoring. It also may be indicated if someone has tried a lower level of care and is not progressing in their treatment. It may also be necessary if someone is losing rate rapidly.
Day Treatment:
CBT is recommended for the treatment of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders. Seeking help in Philadelphia? Call 267-324-9564 and schedule your appointment today!
