Anorexia
This eating disorder is characterised by three main diagnostic components including: eating less and less as food intake is rigidly controlled; an extreme fear of gaining weight or becoming fat; and a profoundly distorted body image. Anorexia can affect anyone, at any stage of their life. Statistics show that it is more commonly reported in young women, however there are increasingly more reports of men, boys and older women being affected. Therapy can provide a safe space for you to talk about how you are feeling and to find ways to support you through your recovery.
Body dysmorphia
Body dysmorphia—having a distorted body image—is a common disorder on the obsessive-compulsive spectrum. Beginning with self-esteem issues and poor body image, body dysmorphic disorder can also impact on your relationship with food (see eating disorders.) Therapy can help you change the relationship you have with your body, growing a more loving and accepting sense of yourself.
Bulimia and binge eating disorder
Bulimia, is an eating disorder that combines binge eating (eating excessive amounts in a single sitting) with purging behaviors including exercise, vomiting and laxatives, to compensate for the overeating. Binge eating disorder is a type of eating disorder in which an individual periodically consumes large amounts of food, eating to the point of discomfort. Therapy can take time but can help you focus on gaining insight about the illness and discovering what led to you develop it in the first place; nutritional guidance, to end compulsive eating and manage overeating without the need to purge; managing bulimic/binge eating thoughts and obsessions with food; self worth and body image healing
Eating disorders
Eating disorders are extremely common and can be serious or even life threatening if not treated appropriately. They are characterised by severe disturbances in a person’s eating behaviors, combined with the warping of thoughts and emotions related to food and body image.The three most well-known types of eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. Therapy can be helpful in changing thoughts and expectations and in providing support and encouragement.
Self-esteem
When we feel confident about ourselves and our self-esteem is high, we are filled with the sense that we can accomplish our goals, and take on the world. Yet, at certain times, it can feel as if the world is working against us. During these difficult times, our self-esteem might suffer. When self-esteem is low, you might think you are worthless, and that other people are better than you, or you may lack the confidence to be assertive. Working with a therapist can help you understand your level of self-esteem and your negative thoughts, in order help you to feel better about yourself.