The role of psychotherapy in obesity
A
number of factors can cause obesity, and the mind is one of them. The
brain controls the body, and poor mental health can lead to poor life choices
on a daily basis, overeating being one of them. Many people suffer from poor
mental health due to a variety of reasons and find comfort in food; over time,
they can develop unhealthy eating habits and find it impossible to make
modifications. Psychotherapy can help in changing the lifestyle and promote a
more positive self-image.
Pillars of psychotherapy
Association, trauma, and
disassociation are the essential pillars to develop the treatment for obesity,
and these pillars cover both the manifestation and development of eating
disorders in the patients. Therefore, these pillars of psychotherapy are used
to identify and recognize eating disorders and replace the negative and
damaging perception of the self with a strong and positive foundation to
eradicate obesity.
Attachment
When food meets the
unfulfilled attachment needs, it becomes a source of comfort and tranquility,
and the individual would eat in stressful times in order to stay calm and
secure.
Trauma
Psychological trauma is
unique in individual cases and their experience of the incident. In some cases,
trauma is not visible as a result of a singular incident but can be equally
damaging. The symptoms of distress, anxiety, sadness, emptiness, and depression
can act as triggers for binge eating.
Disassociation
Disassociation is the
feeling of detachment with the inner self and emotions, like being on autopilot
mode, and is widely seen in obese patients as a coping mechanism.
Eating disorders
and obesity
People with eating
disorders get immersed in a vicious cycle of bad eating habits and find
themselves trapped in a loop. With the help of psychotherapy, they can break
this cycle and take this opportunity to develop healthy lifestyle habits.
Following eating disorders have the tendency to result in obesity;
Binge
eating disorder
A person with a binge
eating disorder is capable of eating an excessive amount of food within a short
period of time and does not take part in any extra physical activity to
compensate for their over-eating, so with time and consistency, they are more
likely to get obese.
Hyperphagia
People with hyperphagia
still want to eat even after eating properly. Their main focus is on eating,
and their food consumption is increased in case of a stressful situation.
Nocturnal
eating disorder
It includes food intake
at night, either by eating food when waking up from sleep in the middle of the
night increased food consumption after having dinner.
With the help of
psychotherapy, the urge to eat and the triggers that activate binge eating are
identified, and the moments when the person was able to control and regulate
are recognized. Psychotherapy can help encourage and improve self-image, regain
motivation and overcome the helplessness associated with making necessary
modifications.
#Obesity, #CauseObesity,
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