Some eating disorders can start young, can be due to perceptions of food, how a person was trained to not waste food, and can really hinder a person’s ability to enjoy or even cause them to avoid or remove food altogether. Food is supposed to be the fuel for the body, so it’s important figure out the reason for the struggle of avoiding or over-indulging in various foods. Eating disorders can cause serious long-term effects on the body physically and mentally.
Better Understanding Eating Disorders
Physical pain and/or eating disorders can have quite the lasting effects on an individual if not properly or quickly addressed.
Each of these are important topics that can impact a person’s view of themselves and hinder their daily functioning. Impacts of pain and unhealthy eating habits can also increase probability of other physical and/or mental health symptoms.
Treatment Process
How can we determine what is/are the underlying issue(s)
Part of the process involves first learning about what purpose food serves for them, patterns, past experiences, and then explore how to help the client to improve maladaptive processing by utilizing EMDR skills as well as aiding the client in the re-evaluation of information in the brain.
This exploration and determination can take time depending on how far back the patterns were formed, and the negative thought patterns connected with this. Some clients may have very negative self-images, and for others it may be punishment or reward but it varies per individual.
The main target it to seek out the eating disorder’s purpose that it’s serving, and to assist the client in new skills that can replace the maladaptive thinking and behaviors.
