There are various types of eating disorders, and no two people will experience eating disorders the same way. These disorders are characterized by significant and ongoing disruptions in eating habits, often accompanied by troubling thoughts and feelings. They represent serious mental health challenges, but fortunately, there are various therapeutic approaches available for treatment. There are several stages of recovery and like many mental health conditions, relapses can occur. Among the numerous therapy options, dialectical behavior therapy for eating disorders stands out as a powerful method for addressing the underlying causes of eating disorders and managing harmful behaviors and thought patterns.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavior therapy originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, over the years, research has shown it to be effective for a range of mental health disorders, including eating disorders. DBT focuses on equipping individuals with new coping mechanisms and relationship skills, which can be particularly helpful for those whose eating issues stem from emotional distress or relational challenges. According to VeryWellMind, DBT emphasizes the development of four essential skills:
- Mindfulness: This skill encourages individuals to stay present and aware, allowing them to recognize their thoughts and feelings without impulsively reacting to them.
- Distress tolerance: These techniques empower individuals to cope with difficult emotions without resorting to disordered eating behaviors.
- Interpersonal effectiveness: Managing relationship-related stress can be tough, and emotions often complicate healthy interactions. This skill set helps individuals communicate effectively without resorting to unhealthy eating patterns.
- Emotional regulation: These strategies teach individuals how to handle their emotions, preventing them from escalating into more intense feelings or destructive behaviors.
People with eating disorders can acquire DBT skills individually with a therapist or in a dialectical behavior support group. DBT is an effective tool in treating all types of eating disorders, including binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia. Skills learned empower people to avoid eating disorder behaviors as a coping mechanism and replace those behaviors with healthier alternatives. Treatment goals include restoring adequate nutrition, acquiring a healthy weight, reducing excessive exercise, and stopping binging and purging behaviors.
Is CBT or DBT Better for Binge Eating?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often considered the gold standard for addressing many mental health disorders, including eating disorders. This therapy emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing harmful thought patterns and behaviors. Automatic thoughts are emotion-driven and can become relatively fixed over time, resulting in dysfunctional behaviors. Through CBT, individuals can challenge these negative thoughts and learn coping skills to deal with problems.
On the other hand, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a specialized form of CBT that incorporates acceptance techniques. The term dialectic means that two opposite ideas can be corrected simultaneously, which is helpful for those with eating disorders and black-and-white thinking. DBT allows individuals to acknowledge their current reality while exploring ways to change aspects they can influence. This approach helps people accept their thoughts and behaviors without feeling pressured to alter them immediately.
Both CBT and DBT have tremendous value for treating eating disorders. Whether which one is better for eating disorders depends on the person, the type of eating disorder, and their healing journey. Therapists typically perform comprehensive assessments to identify the most suitable treatment options, often starting with CBT as the initial recommendation. However, if CBT proves ineffective, individuals may explore DBT or other therapeutic modalities to discover what resonates best with them.
Mental Health Treatment That Works
What Is the Best Therapy for Eating Disorders?
Finding the best type of treatment for eating disorders depends on the type of disorder and its root causes. A study published in Current Opinion Psychiatry indicates that for adults suffering from anorexia nervosa, there isn’t a single treatment that stands out as the best. However, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy have proven to be particularly effective for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
Typically, a comprehensive eating disorder treatment program that combines various therapies, medications, and nutritional guidance tends to yield the best results. Outpatient programs allow individuals to engage in different forms of psychotherapy to discover what resonates with them. These programs also integrate other evidence-based methods, such as nutritional counseling, support groups, and medication management. Furthermore, comprehensive treatment plans can address co-occurring issues like anxiety, PTSD, and depression, which frequently accompany eating disorders.
Recovery from eating disorders is a long and difficult process. It is common for people to return to eating disordered behaviors, especially during periods of stress, low self-worth, and difficulties in relationships. While relapses can feel like a step backward, it can serve as a valuable opportunity to gain deeper insights into one’s eating disorder and to develop new coping strategies.
What Triggers Eating Disorders?
The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown, but researchers have found there are various potential triggers. Some eating disorders may stem from social pressures to be thin, while others may turn to disordered eating as a way to feel in control. Each person’s experience is unique, and experts generally agree that these disorders arise from a mix of environmental, psychological, and genetic influences, which may include:
- Pre-existing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
- Problems coping and dealing with stress.
- Experiencing abuse or trauma.
- Family history of an eating disorder.
- Low self-esteem.
- Body dissatisfaction.
- A tendency towards perfectionism.
- Engaging in restrictive dieting.
- Food insecurity.
- Socio-cultural factors such as media, fashion, and social networks.
What Other Disorder Is Closely Linked to Eating Disorders?
The Center for Eating Disorders and Severe Malnutrition reports that 55 to 95% of people diagnosed with an eating disorder also receive a second psychiatric disorder diagnosis. The most common co-occurring mental health issues with eating disorders include:
- Mood disorders, particularly major depressive disorder
- Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Substance use disorders.
- Personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).
- Suicidality and non-suicidal self-harm.
The cause and symptoms of many of these mental health disorders are similar, which is why they so often exist together. It can be difficult to determine which is the primary condition that can impact treatment recommendations. Effective treatment should take all co-occurring disorders into account, such as incorporating depression treatment, as leaving one untreated can increase the likelihood of relapses.
Mental Health Treatment That Works
Call 949-625-0564Moment of Clarity Offers Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Eating Disorders
Obsessing about food or feeling distressed around eating may indicate disordered eating. These challenges can lead to serious health consequences, such as deteriorating mental health, malnutrition, obesity, and digestive problems. Moment of Clarity specializes in eating disorders and disorders, providing support for those facing difficulties with weight, food, and exercise. Our outpatient treatment programs include a variety of psychotherapy options, including dialectical behavior therapy for eating disorders and teletherapy treatments.
Each program is customized to fit the individual’s needs, ensuring the approach resonates with the patient. Our dedicated team of professionals will ensure you receive a thorough evaluation to properly diagnose types of eating disorders and any co-occurring disorders. Treatment options can include a variety of therapeutic techniques, medication, support groups, and holistic approaches.
If you struggle with your relationship with food, it’s essential to seek assistance to avoid further complications. To discover more about the outpatient treatment programs available at Moment of Clarity, reach out to us today at 949-625-0564.
External Sources
- VeryWellMind – Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Eating Disorders
- Current Opinion Psychiatry – Psychological Treatments for Eating Disorders
- Center for Eating Disorders and Severe Malnutrition – Eating Disorders & Co-Occurring Psychiatric Disorders
