Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a highly effective treatment for individuals struggling with eating disorders. Developed by Dr. Marsha M. Linehan, it was initially designed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD) and suicidal ideation. Its techniques have been adapted to treat those with a range of mental health challenges. DBT is grounded in dialectics, which encourages finding a balance between acceptance and change.
Individuals with eating disorders often struggle with intense and overwhelming emotions. DBT teaches skills to identify, tolerate, and regulate emotions effectively. It uses techniques such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation. One learns healthier ways to cope with emotional distress without resorting to maladaptive eating patterns.
Navigating relationships
Relationships and social interactions can play a significant role in the development and maintenance of eating disorders. DBT focuses on improving interpersonal skills, such as effective communication, setting boundaries, and assertiveness.
By developing healthier relationship dynamics and building a support network, individuals with eating disorders can receive the encouragement and understanding they need on their journey to recovery.
Addressing your thoughts
Your thoughts have a major influence on your feelings and actions. Self-criticism, perfectionism, and distorted beliefs about one’s body image is a common feature of eating disorders. DBT incorporates cognitive-behavioral techniques to challenge these negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones. When one begins identifying and changing distorted thoughts, they begin to create a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.
Another key tool to DBT is mindfulness. It is applied to eating behaviors through mindful eating practices. By cultivating awareness of hunger and fullness cues, individuals can reconnect with their bodies’ natural signals and break free from restrictive or binge eating patterns. Mindful eating promotes a non-judgmental attitude towards food and fosters a more intuitive approach to eating.
Preventing relapse
Recovery from an eating disorder is an ongoing journey that requires sustained effort and support. DBT equips individuals with relapse prevention strategies to navigate challenges and setbacks. For example, one tool would be to identify triggers and then create a list of and practice coping skills.
Remember, recovery is possible, and you deserve to reclaim your life from the grip of an eating disorder.
Healing from an eating disorder is possible.
Evolve offers individual, nutrition & group therapy using evidence-based techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy along with mindfulness & other holistic approaches.
If you’d like to work with a therapist or nutritionist specializing in eating disorder recovery, get in touch today for a free intake call.
