What is eating disorder therapy?
Eating disorder therapy is a specialized approach aimed at assisting those who are grappling with a range of eating disorders. These disorders are significant mental health conditions characterized by irregular or unhealthy eating patterns and an intense focus on body weight and shape. Common conditions addressed in Eating disorder therapy include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
How does eating disorder therapy work?
At Thriveworks, Eating disorder therapy begins with a thorough assessment and personalized treatment plan. Central to eating disorder therapy is psychotherapy, often employing cognitive behavioral therapy and other specialized techniques to target negative thought patterns.
Signs of an eating disorder
The signs of an eating disorder can include:
- Drastic weight changes
- Preoccupation with food and body image
- Binge eating or extreme dieting
- Excessive exercise
- Social withdrawal and secrecy around eating
- Physical and emotional symptoms like fatigue and anxiety
What is the success rate of CBT for eating disorders?
CBT’s remission rate, according to some research, is generally between 50-30% for those seeking assistance for eating disorder symptoms.
What is the recovery rate for people with eating disorders?
The recovery rate for those seeking assistance with eating disorders depends entirely on the individual’s involvement in sessions, the severity of their symptoms, and their willingness to change their eating habits and relationship with food.
Is eating disorder therapy conducted in person or online?
Eating disorder therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
How long does eating disorder therapy last?
The length of Eating disorder therapy will vary from one person to the next, dependent on their specific needs. Your therapist can help to determine what might be most beneficial for you.
Need more help deciding?
Today, as people debate about what is a “healthy” or “unhealthy” diet, it’s clear that there are many misconceptions commonly held about food. In the same way, there are many misconceptions held about eating disorders and the persons who struggle with them. Many individuals think that anorexia (the act of an individual starving themselves) and bulimia (the act of eating copious amounts of food in a single sitting and then forcing themselves to purge it afterward due to shame and guilt) are for weak individuals. Eating disorders can be caused by a variety of issues and not all instances are the same.
Misconceptions:
- Misconception One: Most persons with an eating disorder are underweight.
- Misconception Two: To overcome an eating disorder, one simply needs “willpower.”
- Misconception Three: It’s easy to tell an individual has an eating disorder.
Struggling with an eating disorder is not a sign of having a weak character. However, because of the stigma and embarrassment, one might face, too many people struggle silently instead of getting help they need.
Eating disorders can develop for a number of reasons including poor body image or sell esteem, abuse, depression and outside pressures. Society has placed such a hard standard on body image that it can be hard for individuals to feel like it’s ok to accept themselves.
Thriveworks Knoxville eating disorder therapy has caring licensed, psychologists and counselors that can help you improve your relationship with food. We have no waiting lists–meaning that we can get started right away. In addition, to best serve our valued clients our therapists accept most major insurance plans including Blue cross / Blue shield, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Tri-care, and many others.
To schedule an appointment with a Knoxville eating disorder therapist, call us at 865-730-4171