What is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders (or disordered eating) have a complex set of behaviours, habits and symptoms and these manifestations disturb the natural balance of healthy and functional eating. Eating disturbances may be separate from the need to control weight and may be used as a way to control negative emotions. Eating disorders allow the individual to cope with their feelings of inadequacy, and to feel safe, special, and in control. The presentation of eating disorders varies but they often occur with other factors including low self-esteem, depression, perfectionism, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), mood and anxiety disorders, and emotional dysregulation.
Predominantly Eating disorders have psychological causes and establishing these causes are the answer for treating them. Whether it is negative body image, low self-esteem, anxiety or depression therapy/counselling can help a great deal.
How Gestalt therapy can help with Eating disorders
Gestalt therapy can help you understand yourself better by gaining insight into emotions and thoughts and establishing the root cause of your eating problem. This is done through an integrated approach that is beneficial when working with people with eating disorders. The focus is on a strong therapeutic alliance and relational contact between client and counsellor. A working relationship with the client is a crucial component when developing trust, guidance and support in order to explore the underlying cause of the eating disorder. The Gestalt therapist offers a safe place to allow a healthy balance of exploration and integration of emotions and cognitions, so you can better understand your triggers, boost your self-esteem, self-image, regulate your eating and establish coping strategies. If you are struggling with an Eating disorder Gestalt therapy as a method of counselling may be able to support you.