EATING DISORDERS
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterised by disturbances in behaviour and thinking around food, eating, weight/shape. Eating disorders go far beyond a desire to be fit and healthy, and are not a lifestyle choice. Sadly, Eating Disorders are potentially life-threatening and they have one of the highest mortality rates of all mental health conditions. Not only do Eating Disorders involve significant psychological impairment and distress, but they are also associated with wide-ranging and serious medical and physical complications.
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Eating disorders affect about 3% of the population, and do not discriminate on age, cultural backgrounds, gender or socio-economic status. People’s experience of eating disorders can vary and there are a number of different types of Eating Disorders. Therefore, it is important to receive a thorough assessment and discuss your treatment options.
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Here are some common signs and symptoms of a possible eating disorder. If you experience any of these, you may benefit from speaking to a qualified mental health professional about your experience.
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Preoccupation with eating, food, body shape and weight
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Inflexibility around exercise routines, which are prioritised above health, relationships and other important life areas
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Repeated food restriction
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Constant thinking about food and future meals
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Continual and unrelenting calorie counting
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Feeling anxious around meal times
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Feeling “out of control” around food
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Rigid thoughts about food being “good” or “bad”
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Regularly using food as a source of comfort
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Using food/restriction as self-punishment
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Repeated dieting behaviour
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Eating in private or avoiding meals with others
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Binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a small space of time)
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Rapid weight loss or frequent changes in weight
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Ceased menstrual cycle
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Fainting or dizziness
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Always feeling tired or difficulty sleeping
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Feeling cold most of the time, even in warm weather
Recovery from an eating disorder is possible but does require appropriate treatment and a high level of personal commitment on the part of the individual. Evidence suggests that the earlier you seek treatment for an Eating Disorder, the better the outcome. However, it is never too late to ask for help.
At Drummoyne Psychology our experienced Psychologists work with each individual to first conduct a thorough assessment and make an appropriate diagnosis where necessary. From here our Psychologists work to tailor an individualised treatment plan. Our Therapists work within a therapeutic framework that is holistic to the individual, and endeavour to work collaboratively with the individual’s treating medical team, including General Practitioners and Dieticians.
Our therapists work from both Enhanced-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Schema Therapy approaches. Enhanced-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy works well with the here-and-now symptoms and maintenance factors of Eating Disorders, while Schema Therapy targets the underlying schema-level beliefs and coping mechanisms which maintain these underlying structures.