Other Eating Disorders

Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) proposed criteria

Orthorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an obsessive and unhealthy fixation on eating only foods deemed "pure," "clean," or "healthy." Individuals with orthorexia rigidly follow strict dietary rules and may eliminate entire food groups, believing it will lead to better health. This obsession can result in social isolation, malnutrition, and negative impacts on mental well-being. While not officially recognized as a distinct disorder in all diagnostic manuals, orthorexia highlights the dangers of extreme fixation on healthy eating.

Chronic Dieting

Chronic dieting refers to a persistent pattern of engaging in various diets, weight loss programs, or restrictive eating habits over an extended period. Individuals who chronically diet may engage in repeated cycles of attempting to lose weight through different methods, often with the goal of achieving a specific body size or appearance.

Key features of chronic dieting include:

Frequent Dieting Attempts:
Individuals who chronically diet often make repeated attempts to lose weight. These attempts may involve trying different diets, following restrictive eating plans, or experimenting with various weight loss strategies.
Yo-Yo Dieting:
Yo-yo dieting, also known as weight cycling, is a common aspect of chronic dieting. It involves a cycle of losing weight, regaining it, and then starting a new diet to lose weight again. This pattern can be detrimental to both physical and mental health.
Focus on External Appearance:
Chronic dieting is often driven by a strong emphasis on external appearance and the desire to achieve a specific body size or shape. Individuals may believe that achieving a certain appearance will lead to improved self-esteem or social acceptance.
Preoccupation with Food and Weight:
Individuals who chronically diet may have a preoccupation with food, weight, and body image. Thoughts about what to eat, how much to eat, and the desire for weight loss may dominate their mental space.
Impact on Mental Health:
Chronic dieting can have significant implications for mental health. It may contribute to feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, and depression. The constant pursuit of weight loss can negatively affect overall well-being.
Potential for Disordered Eating:
Chronic dieting may be associated with the development of disordered eating patterns. This can include behaviors such as binge eating, emotional eating, or engaging in extreme dietary restrictions.
Ineffectiveness and Frustration:
Despite repeated attempts, individuals who chronically diet may find that their efforts are often ineffective in achieving long-term weight loss. This can lead to frustration, disappointment, and a sense of failure.
Physical Health Risks:
Chronic dieting can pose risks to physical health. Extreme or unbalanced diets may result in nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, and other health complications. Additionally, the stress of repeated dieting can impact the body's physiological functions.

It's important to note that chronic dieting is not a sustainable or health-promoting approach to well-being. Instead, a focus on adopting a balanced and sustainable approach to nutrition, physical activity, and overall health is recommended. Intuitive eating, which emphasizes listening to the body's natural hunger and fullness cues, is one alternative approach that has gained recognition as a way to promote a healthier relationship with food and the body. At Immersive, we are here to help you build a loving relationship with your body and food.

Please note, that IPG currently does not currently offer treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). We are, however, actively exploring ways to expand our services in the future to include treatment for this eating disorder.

What are the treatment options?

It's important to note that early intervention is key to successful treatment outcomes. Every individual's journey to recovery is unique, and a personalized treatment plan is developed in collaboration with a team of healthcare professionals. Treatment for eating disorders typically involves a multidisciplinary approach that addresses the physical, psychological, and nutritional aspects of the disorder.

Eating disorder treatment can take place either as an inpatient, where individuals stay in a specialized facility for round-the-clock care, or as an outpatient, where therapy sessions and support occur while living at home. The choice often depends on the severity of the disorder, with inpatient treatment suited for more critical cases, while outpatient care allows for greater independence. Treatment plans are personalized to meet individual needs, aiming to restore healthy eating habits, improve mental well-being, and promote lasting recovery.

The specific treatment plan administered varies based on the type and severity of the eating disorder, as well as individual needs. Here are some common treatment options that are offered at Immersive:

Psychotherapy: Various types of therapy, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy- Enhanced (CBT - E), Schema therapy for Eating Disorders, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Interpersonal Therapy, are commonly used to address distorted thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to food and body image.
Family-Based Treatment (FBT): Commonly used for adolescents with eating disorders, FBT involves the family in the treatment process, focusing on restoring healthy eating habits and supporting the individual's recovery.

We collaborate with other health care professionals to help with:

- Nutritional Counseling: Registered dietitians or nutritionists work with individuals to establish balanced eating patterns, normalize eating behaviors, and address nutritional deficiencies.
- Medication: In some cases, medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs may be prescribed to address underlying mental health conditions often associated with eating disorders.

Medical Monitoring: For severe cases, medical professionals monitor physical health, manage complications, and ensure safe weight restoration.

Long-Term Aftercare: Recovery from eating disorders is an ongoing process. After the initial treatment phase, individuals often benefit from continued therapy, support groups, and monitoring to prevent relapse.

What to expect at your appointment

Your first appointment with a psychologist for an eating disorder will involve an initial assessment and discussion of your concerns. Here's what you can generally expect with an Immersive psychologist:

Introductions and Comfort: The psychologist will greet you and create a comfortable environment to put you at ease.
Confidentiality: They will explain the importance of confidentiality, ensuring that your discussions are private and protected. Distinguish between <16 years and >16 years.
Discussion of Concerns: You'll have the opportunity to share your thoughts, feelings, and concerns about your eating behaviors, body image, and overall well-being.
History and Background: The psychologist may ask about your personal history, including family, relationships, medical history, and any relevant life events.
Eating Habits: You'll discuss your eating patterns, behaviors, and attitudes towards food and body image. Be prepared to talk about your relationship with exercise as well.
Physical and Emotional Well-being: They might ask about your physical health, energy levels, mood, anxiety, and any other mental health concerns you might have.
Goals and Expectations: You'll have the chance to discuss your goals for therapy and what you hope to achieve from the sessions.
Diagnosis and Education: If applicable, the psychologist might explain the nature of your eating disorder and provide you with information about it.
Treatment Approach: They will likely outline the treatment options available and explain how therapy can help you overcome your challenges.
Collaborative Planning: Together, you and the psychologist will develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals.
Questions and Clarifications: You're encouraged to ask questions and seek clarifications about the process, treatment, and anything else you're curious about.
Next Steps: You'll discuss the frequency of sessions, and the psychologist might recommend involving other healthcare professionals if necessary. State that IPG has created their own resources (e.g., Social Media Handout and Eating Disorder Contact Information Handbook).

Anything else important to mention:

Open Communication: Be open and honest about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The more your psychologist knows, the better they can tailor their approach to your needs.

Patience: Recovery takes time. Progress may not be linear, and setbacks can happen. Be patient with yourself and the process.
Collaboration: Therapy is a partnership. Collaborate with your psychologist to set goals, discuss treatment options, and make decisions about your recovery journey.

Non-Judgment: Your psychologist is there to support you, not to judge. Share your struggles without fear of being criticized.
Trust: Building a trusting relationship with your psychologist is crucial. Trust their expertise and guidance throughout your journey.
Consistency: Attend sessions regularly and follow through with any recommended tasks or exercises outside of sessions.

Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Recovery involves learning to treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer to a friend.

Small Wins: Celebrate even small victories and moments of progress. Recovery is made up of these steps forward.

Support Network: Engage your support network—family, friends, or support groups—alongside your therapy sessions.

Holistic Approach: Addressing all aspects of your well-being is important. Focus not only on eating habits but also on emotions, self-esteem, and self-care.

Ask Questions: If you're unsure about something or have questions about your treatment, don't hesitate to ask your psychologist.

Be Patient with Yourself: Healing takes time, and setbacks can occur. Be gentle and patient with yourself as you navigate the journey.

Please see FAQ for pricing and more about obtaining the correct care plan for you, and what rebates might be available to you.