MY Counseling, Inc.    Mary weber-Young, Ph.D. 

    Licensed Professional Counselor

Eating Disorder Treatment Philosophy

Eating disorders can be thought of as a metaphor, or a communication tool for individuals.  They speak that, which is in other languages, unable to be articulated. The specific symptom an individual manifests, tells much about the philosophy they are using to live their lives.

For example, an individual with Anorexia, often will not only restrict their food intake, but they see themselves as someone who should take up little space in the world, have minimal needs.  They may often live in restricted ways, partaking of social relationships and experiences in only token ways, feeling undeserving of more.

In contrast, an individual whose eating behavior manifests as Bulimia allows themselves to take things in more generously, but can’t allow themselves to keep what they take.  They may shop in ways that resemble a binge, but never allow themselves to wear or use the things they’ve purchased.  The Bulimic, unlike the Anorexic is aware of their appetite, but doesn’t trust it.  And therefore, does not allow themselves to match what would be an appropriate response to that hunger.

Finally the Compulsive eater is more like the Anorexic in that they are often not aware of their appetite.  The Compulsive eater allows himself or herself to take in food, but in an indiscriminate way.  This population has difficulty distinguishing what it would require to fill their hunger.  They often take whatever is available rather than what they actually would desire if they could allow themselves to discover what that might be.  As a result, they get overly full physically, without ever feeling satisfied.  This repetitive cycle perpetuates even more psychological hunger.

Treatment requires developing an understanding of the underlying needs and their origins that are being communicated through the eating disorder behavior. In short, it means coming to understand what the specific symptom is telling us about the individual’s life.  It also involves developing more effective ways of dealing with those issues and constructing a lifestyle that supports and enhances that growth

Copyright © 2003 Mary Weber-Young Ph.D.
Modified 8-10-05