Understanding Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are mental health disorders typically characterised by unhealthy eating behaviours body image concerns and significant preoccupation with weight, shape and food . These disorders can have severe physical, psychological, and social impacts.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Evidence suggests that early intervention for eating disorders is crucial for improving treatment outcomes and preventing the escalation of these conditions into more severe and chronic states, as early intervention can lead to faster recovery, reduced symptom severity, and improved psychological well-being.
Detecting and addressing eating disorder behaviours and attitudes as soon as possible can minimise the negative impact on physical and mental health, enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions, and potentially prevent long-term complications.
Types of Eating Disorders
There are several types of eating disorders, each with its distinct characteristics:
Anorexia Nervosa: characterised by a fear of gaining weight, leading to severe restriction in food intake, resulting in extreme weight loss.
Bulimia Nervosa: characterised by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours like forced vomiting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a condition characterised by recurring episodes of consuming large amounts of food in a short period, often accompanied by a sense of loss of control and distress.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED): This category includes individuals who have many of the symptoms of different eating disorders but do not meet the full criteria for any of them.
Orthorexia: an obsession with healthy or "clean" eating that can eventually hurt health.
Each disorder has its unique characteristics, but all are associated with unhelpful and harmful attitudes towards food and body image.
Inpatient Eating Disorder Treatment
Inpatient eating disorder treatment usually involves a stay at a specialised facility where patients receive round-the-clock care and support.
This type of treatment may be recommended for individuals with severe eating disorders who have significant co-occurring medical issues and have not responded to outpatient treatment.
Inpatient treatment may include:
Medical monitoring and care
Nutritional support
Psychotherapy
Medication (if needed)
The Importance of a Personalised Eating Disorder Treatment Plan
Every individual with an eating disorder has a unique set of circumstances, which is why it is helpful to have a personalised treatment plan. Depending on the severity and type of disorder, the plan may involve one or more of the following:
Restoring adequate nutrition
Reaching a healthy weight
Reducing excessive exercise
Stopping bingeing and purging behaviours
Remember: The goal of treatment is to address physical symptoms and tackle the mechanisms that maintain the disorder.
Psychotherapy in Eating Disorder Treatment
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a crucial part of eating disorder treatment. Specific forms of psychotherapy, such as family-based therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT or CBT-E), have proven effective in treating eating disorders.
Family-Based Therapy
Family-based therapy (FBT) for eating disorders is a structured and evidence-based approach that involves the active participation of family members, typically parents, in the treatment of a person with an eating disorder, particularly adolescents.
FBT empowers parents to take a central role in refeeding, providing emotional support, and helping their child regain a healthy relationship with food. It aims to foster recovery within the family context.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT-E, or Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders, is a specialised form of cognitive-behavioural therapy designed to treat various types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorders.
It emphasises identifying and modifying the specific thoughts and behaviours that contribute to the eating disorder. CBT-E involves structured sessions with a therapist to challenge distorted beliefs about body image, food, and weight while also addressing underlying emotional and interpersonal issues that may be driving the eating disorder.
This evidence-based approach aims to help individuals develop healthier eating behaviours, improve self-esteem, and achieve sustainable recovery from their eating disorders.
Medical Care and Monitoring
Eating disorders can have severe physical effects, and it's essential to address these in the treatment process. Medical care and monitoring are significant aspects of both outpatient and inpatient treatment. This involves regular weighing, blood tests, and other health screenings.
Nutritional Counselling
A dietitian or nutritionist often provides nutritional counselling. The goal of counselling is to help the patient develop a healthier relationship with food by incorporating healthy eating habits into their everyday lives.
Support System
A solid support system is crucial for recovery from an eating disorder. The system may involve family, friends, or support groups where patients can talk about their experiences and get advice and support from people who understand them.
Health Professionals Involved in Treatment
Due to the complex nature of eating disorders, treatment often involves a range of practitioners, including psychologists, psychiatrists, dietitians, and general practitioners (GPs).
Types of Treatment Settings
Treatment for an eating disorder can be delivered in various settings, including inpatient and outpatient programmes, day programmes, and community-based support.
The Role of Medication in Treatment
The evidence suggests that combining medication with psychological therapy can be effective for specific eating disorders.
However, medication alone is generally not considered a standalone treatment for eating disorders, and its effectiveness can vary depending on the specific type of eating disorder and individual factors.
A qualified healthcare provider should determine the most appropriate treatment approach, whether it involves medication, psychotherapy, or both, on a case-by-case basis.
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Meet Your Clinical Psychologists In Newcastle
Dr Emma Doolan is a Clinical Psychologist based in Newcastle. With a collaborative and evidence-based approach, she helps clients overcome various challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma.
Emma is experienced in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other modalities like schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and compassion-focused therapy. She holds a PhD in clinical psychology and has completed her registration as a clinical psychologist from AHPRA. Emma is a member of several professional associations, including ACPA, APS, AACBT, and APN.
Paige Cornell is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle who has experience in therapeutic modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT, and ACT. She focuses on building a solid therapeutic relationship and tailoring treatment to each individual. Paige has experience in private practice, NGOs, and forensic settings.
She works with a diverse range of mental health issues, including anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, relationship problems, substance abuse, and offending behaviours. Paige is particularly interested in helping LGBTQI+ individuals and those dealing with trauma and substance abuse. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist and a board-approved supervisor for psychologists. Paige is a member of ACPA and APS, holding a Master's in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor's in Psychological Science (Honours).
Taylah Armstrong is a Clinical Psychologist in Newcastle. She focuses on developing solid therapeutic relationships to assist individuals in enhancing their well-being and achieving their goals. Taylah is skilled in treating various concerns such as anxiety, stress, mood disorders, trauma, and eating disorders.
She utilises evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and ACT. Taylah has worked in public healthcare, primary care, and education sectors. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist by AHPRA and holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Newcastle.
Paige Whitfield is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle with experience in private and public health settings. She collaborates with health professionals, families, and schools to provide evidence-based treatments like CBT, Narrative Therapy, and ACT for various issues. Paige has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology (Honours) and a Master's in Clinical Psychology. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist and is a member of APS and ACPA.
Dr Kaitlin Fitzgerald is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle who takes a collaborative and client-centred approach to therapy. She creates a warm and relaxed environment for clients, aiming to make therapy sessions comfortable and even enjoyable. Kaitlin holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle. In addition to her private practice at ELD Psychology, she also works in public mental health treating adults with various mental health issues.
Kaitlin has experience working with a wide range of concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. She is skilled in evidence-based therapies like CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT, and ACT. Kaitlin is fully registered as a clinical psychologist with AHPRA and is approved to supervise provisional and registered psychologists.
Eliza Newton is a person-centred Clinical Psychologist dedicated to helping clients explore their deeper selves. She tailors her approach to each client, using psychodynamic therapy for self-exploration or structured techniques like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Schema Therapy. Eliza focuses on individuals overcoming childhood trauma, including Complex PTSD, and helps those with ADHD develop organisational and emotional well-being strategies. With experience in private practice, inpatient settings, and psychiatric rehabilitation, she addresses challenges from anxiety and mood disorders to severe mental illness.
Eliza holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle and a Master of Clinical Psychology from Western Sydney University. She is registered as a Clinical Psychologist with AHPRA and is a member of AAPi and ACPA.
Disclaimer
The content provided on this blog is intended for Australian audiences and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as professional psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared here is based on general knowledge and experience in the field of psychology, but it may not be applicable to your specific situation.
Always seek the advice of your psychologist or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a psychological condition or treatment. Never disregard professional psychological advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.
If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor, or dial 000 immediately. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organisations or institutions.