Category
Theoretical Proposal
Description
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most prevalent eating disorder and is frequently treated using interventions designed for Bulimia Nervosa (BN and Anorexia Nervosa (AN). In fact, many programs treat clients with BED, BN, and AN in the same milieu with similar interventions. As a result, specific clinical issues are not addressed, so many clients with BED exit treatment prematurely with little to no improvement in symptoms. Traditionally, interventions for BED have been universally prescribed and include food exposure to decrease binges and cognitive behavioral therapy to improve negative self-image without addressing other important aspects of BED such as weight-related health risks, nutritional education, weight management, and sustainable lifestyle changes. This theoretical presentation argues that current approaches inadequately address the multifaceted and unique qualities of clients with BED. Drawing from emerging research, a holistic framework is proposed that is specifically designed for clients with BED and includes multidimensional treatment strategies to address physical, psychological, behavioral, and spiritual health domains. The physical domain is addressed with education about the health risks associated with BED and related obesity paired with on-going weight management interventions to achieve a healthy weight. The psychological domain uses insight-oriented counseling to identify personal factors that trigger binging and result in self-defeating feelings. Using the emotional triggers, behavioral domain interventions are designed collaboratively with each client to decrease binges. The spiritual domain interfaces with the other domains and explores spirituality as a motivator but also assesses and challenges distortions in spiritual beliefs that might be barriers to recovery. Counselors implementing this framework commit to authenticity and transparency which allows clients to engage with and provide feedback on all aspects of their treatment. Overall implications include improved treatment engagement, reduced medical risk, and increased long-term sustainability of recovery outcomes for individuals with BED.
Reframing Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder: Integrating Physical, Psychological, Behavioral and Spiritual Domains to Improve Treatment Outcomes
Theoretical Proposal
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most prevalent eating disorder and is frequently treated using interventions designed for Bulimia Nervosa (BN and Anorexia Nervosa (AN). In fact, many programs treat clients with BED, BN, and AN in the same milieu with similar interventions. As a result, specific clinical issues are not addressed, so many clients with BED exit treatment prematurely with little to no improvement in symptoms. Traditionally, interventions for BED have been universally prescribed and include food exposure to decrease binges and cognitive behavioral therapy to improve negative self-image without addressing other important aspects of BED such as weight-related health risks, nutritional education, weight management, and sustainable lifestyle changes. This theoretical presentation argues that current approaches inadequately address the multifaceted and unique qualities of clients with BED. Drawing from emerging research, a holistic framework is proposed that is specifically designed for clients with BED and includes multidimensional treatment strategies to address physical, psychological, behavioral, and spiritual health domains. The physical domain is addressed with education about the health risks associated with BED and related obesity paired with on-going weight management interventions to achieve a healthy weight. The psychological domain uses insight-oriented counseling to identify personal factors that trigger binging and result in self-defeating feelings. Using the emotional triggers, behavioral domain interventions are designed collaboratively with each client to decrease binges. The spiritual domain interfaces with the other domains and explores spirituality as a motivator but also assesses and challenges distortions in spiritual beliefs that might be barriers to recovery. Counselors implementing this framework commit to authenticity and transparency which allows clients to engage with and provide feedback on all aspects of their treatment. Overall implications include improved treatment engagement, reduced medical risk, and increased long-term sustainability of recovery outcomes for individuals with BED.
