Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are complex issues. Often individuals experiencing eating disorders also have other underlying issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or combinations of mental health diagnoses.
An Integrated Approach to the Treatment of Eating Disorders
There are also different types of eating disorders, with an increasing awareness in the health field of the potential for disorders that are not otherwise specified (NOS). This can be the case when an individual displays a cluster of symptoms from different eating disorders, making a single diagnosis difficult or impossible.
Regardless of the specific diagnosis, timely and effective treatment of an eating disorder is critical, for both mental as well as physical health. If left untreated they can cause lifelong health issues, and in extreme cases result in a tragic death.
Eating disorders are most common in teens and young adults, but can occur at any time in life. They are more frequently diagnosed in women, but can also occur in men of all ages. Often people with eating disorders hide their behaviours and rituals around food consumption from their family and friends, and the disorder may become advanced before it is detected and diagnosed.
The Importance of Integrated Treatment
An integrated approach to helping a client with an eating disorder often involves a treatment team, put together based on their individual needs. This team will usually include a range of professionals working together, to support the client through their mental and medical health issues.
Eating disorder treatment has progressed from the basic approach of merely treating the symptoms of the disorder. An integrated treatment plan allows for a focus on the whole person, which includes medical treatment as required, as well as specific training and psychotherapy for the client, to help them understand their thinking around specific types of food intake or restriction.
Often negative thoughts around food intake and restriction are seen in families where the mother or maternal figure in the household also had a distorted view of food and eating. There is also research linking a genetic component to the development of all types of eating disorders. Holistic treatment that addresses these factors, as well as providing education and mental health treatment that is most effective at changing the thought patterns around food and eating, create the right conditions to allow for recovery.
The key to all integrated types of eating disorder therapy and treatment is to correct the underlying distorted thinking around food, past traumas and other concurrent mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. The specific type of treatment is selected to align with the needs of the individual.
The treatment of eating disorders is a specialised area of practice at Mayfair Online Therapy. Our staff have extensive experience working with clients throughout the UK, in Europe and around the world. Following a holistic and integrated approach that includes education, psychotherapy, nutrition and lifestyle support, as well as collaboration with treatment teams, individuals with eating disorders can develop a healthy lifestyle and the coping mechanisms necessary to move forward with their life.
Mayfair Online Therapy have over 20 years of experience in the field of psychotherapy, covering the treatment of a wide range of issues. We are based in Mayfair in central London, but can work with clients from across the UK and Internationally.
If you are interested in finding out more, or to discuss any questions you may have about online treatment options, call us on +44 7809 668193 or +44 7557 362207 at any time.
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