Therapy for Eating Disorders

Sara Gilbert is a chartered clinical psychologist who has had a specialist interest in the field of eating disorders for nearly twenty years. She currently works for the Luton and Bedfordshire community NHS trust.

`Sensible, thoughtful and full of helpful ′how to′ advice for the therapist′ -Behaviour Research and Therapy `A particularly suitable book for individuals with a general mental health training who are starting work with this patient group. It deserves to be widely read′ - European Eating Disorders Review `An invaluable resource for anyone working in, or wishing to know more about, eating disorders′ - Dietetics Today

• PrefaceAcknowledgementsWhat is an eating disorder?A note about psychiatric diagnosisEating Disorders in the twenty first centuryThe relationship between weight and eating disorderAnorexia nervosaBulimia nervosaBinge Eating DisorderFeeding and Eating disorders not elsewhere classifiedOther causes of weight loss or gain or unusual eating behavioursCauses of the Eating DisordersPsychobiological mechanismsPsychosomatic theoriesLooking for an explanation in the pastEating disorder and other psychiatric diagnoses: is there a genetic susceptibility?Anorexia and bulimia nervosa as sociocultural phenomenaEating disorder as learned behaviorEating disorder as a corollary to dieting and food deprivationConclusionsTreatment for the Eating DisordersPsychodynamic therapiesFamily therapiesThe use of psychotropic medicationCognitive behaviour therapyAn outline of the characteristics of CBTHow effective is CBT for eating disorders?ConclusionsA Cognitive Behavioural and Integrative Approach to Eating DisordersThe theoretical basis of a cognitive behaviour therapy approach to the eating disorders The structure of cognitive therapy for eating disordersThe acceptability of cognitive therapy for eating disordersA broad interpretation of cognitive therapy for the eating disordersConclusionsBeginning the Therapy ProcessThe initial stagesSome questions to ask when assessing the person with an eating disorderThe use of questionnaires in the assessment of eating disorderIs this the right time for therapy?ConclusionPreparing for changePresenting the cognitive behavioural view and formulating the problemAssessment of motivational stage in people with an eating disorderSelf-monitoring by the clientSetting the agenda for therapyA focus on emotions and coping strategiesPsychoeducationNutritional Aspects of Helping the Eating-Disordered ClientNutritional knowledge of eating-disordered clientsNutritional counsellingThe body′s need for good nutritionKnowledge about energy balance and weight regulationInformation about the specific effects of bingeing and purgingInformation about the effects of food and eating on metabolismEstablishing a normal eating pattern with obese binge eaters: to diet or not?Establishing weight gain with anorexicsBehavioural TechniquesSelf-monitoringTarget settingBehavioural experimentsSelf-rewardScheduling pleasant eventsBehavioural techniques for controlling overeating (self-control)Taking exercisePractising ′normal′ eatingExposureAssertiveness around foodRelaxation and stress managementConclusionCognitive TechniquesIdentifying negative thoughtsAnswering negative thoughtsHomeworkIdentifying and dealing with dysfunctional assumptions and core beliefsModifying assumptions and core beliefsExploring the meaning of eating disorder symptomsGetting ′stuck′ConclusionAdapting to Different Situations and Dealing with EndingsWorking with severe and complex casesThe end of the therapy relationshipPreventing relapseInvolving family members in the therapy processWorking with groupsWorking in parallel with other treatmentsConclusionConclusionAppendix 1: Some useful web pagesAppendix 2: Eating Problems: Resources for ClientsAppendix 3: Eating Disorders and their Effects Appendix 4: Guidelines for Normal Healthy EatingAppendix 5: The Effects of Strict Dieting and Starvation and of Giving Them UpAppendix 6: Medical and Physical Problems Caused by the Symptoms of Eating DisordersAppendix 7: Controlling What You EatAppendix 8: Giving Up Vomiting as a Way to Control Your Weight or Deal with StressAppendix 9: Learning to be Assertive about What You Eat: A Bill of RightsReferencesIndex