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EATING DISORDERS

Are you struggling with an unhealthy relationship with food and your body? At New Horizons, we offer compassionate and specialized DBT-informed therapy to help you heal from eating disorders, develop a more positive body image, and cultivate a healthier relationship with yourself.

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What are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by persistent disturbances in eating behaviors, thoughts, and emotions related to food and body image. These disorders can have significant physical and psychological consequences.

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Common types of eating disorders include:

  • Anorexia Nervosa: Restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image.

  • Bulimia Nervosa: Episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging (vomiting, laxative use), excessive exercise, or fasting.

  • Binge Eating Disorder: Recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, often accompanied by feelings of loss of control and shame.

  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Limited food intake due to sensory sensitivities, fear of negative consequences (choking, vomiting), or lack of interest in food.

  • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED): Eating disorders that do not meet the full criteria for other diagnoses but still cause significant distress and impairment.

 

How DBT Can Help with Eating Disorders:

DBT skills can be particularly effective in addressing eating disorders by helping you:

  • Increase Mindfulness: Develop awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations related to food, eating, and your body, reducing the power of urges and distorted thoughts.

  • Improve Distress Tolerance: Learn healthy coping mechanisms to manage difficult emotions, stress, and urges to engage in eating disorder behaviors.

  • Regulate Emotions: Understand and manage your emotions effectively, reducing vulnerability to using food or body control as a way to cope with emotional distress.

  • Enhance Interpersonal Effectiveness: Communicate your needs assertively, build healthy relationships, and challenge societal pressures regarding body image and food.

 

DBT-Informed Therapy for Eating Disorders at New Horizons:

Our therapists integrate DBT skills and principles into individual therapy, providing a safe and supportive environment to address your unique needs and challenges with your eating disorder. We will help you:

  • Challenge distorted thoughts: Identify and challenge negative beliefs about your body, food, and self-worth.

  • Develop coping strategies: Practice mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation skills to manage urges and avoid engaging in eating disorder behaviors.

  • Cultivate a healthy relationship with food: Learn to nourish your body adequately and develop a more balanced approach to eating.

  • Improve body image: Challenge societal ideals and develop a more positive and accepting view of your body.

  • Build a support system: Connect with others who understand your experience and create a network of support.

 

Next Steps:

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