Eating Disorders Dartford Kent

Eating Disorder Programmes

I will always need permission from your GP or Care Team before I work with you for an Eating Disorder.

Richard Wain

Eating disorders are characterised by severe disturbances in eating behaviour. The practice of an eating disorder can be viewed as a survival mechanism. Just as an alcoholic uses alcohol to cope, a person with an eating disorder can use eating, purging or restricting to deal with their problems. Some of the underlying issues that are associated with an eating disorder include low self-esteem, depression, feelings of loss of control, feelings of worthlessness, identity concerns, family communication problems and an inability to cope with emotions. The practice of an eating disorder may be an expression of something that the eating disordered individual has found no other way of expressing. Eating disorders are usually divided into four categories: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Compulsive Overeating and Night Eatting Syndrome. There is a fifth category known as Orthorexia Nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is a disorder where the main characteristic is the restriction of food and the refusal to maintain a minimal normal body weight. Any actual gain or even perceived gain of weight is met with intense fear by the Anorexic. Not only is there a true feeling of fear, but also once in the grasp of the disorder, Anorexics experience body image distortions. Those areas of the body usually representing maturity or sexuality including the buttocks, hips, thighs and breast are visualized by the Anorexic as being fat. For some Anorexics, weight loss is so severe there is a loss of manses. In the obsessive pursuit of thinness, Anorexics participate in restrictive dieting, compulsive exercise, and laxative and diuretic abuse. If Anorexia Nervosa is left untreated, it can be fatal.

Orthorexia Nervosa
Orthorexia Nervosa is a disorder in which someone is obsessed with eating the “right” kinds of food. This food is pure, healthy and typically organic. The compulsive obsession those with orthorexia have takes control of their lives, causing them to view their own worth through the food they eat. This distorted perception in turn affects their view of others, causing them to look down on anyone who does not have the same self-discipline they do. Eating disorder treatment is offered for people suffering from unhealthy disorders, such as orthorexia nervosa.

Those with orthorexia nervosa obsess over what is eaten, how much of it is eaten and how it was prepared. Most people with orthorexia nervosa can think of little else, and find it difficult to carry on a conversation without bringing up the subject of food. Relationships, school and work all suffer neglect as a result of this obsession. Holidayss are seldom taken as they typically cause deviation from a strict diet.

Many people with orthorexia nervosa religiously follow certain food rules. These rules determine what they can and can not eat. Obsession over a perfect diet is sometimes so intense that when its rules are broken, certain punishments are imposed. While these punishments may not be as extreme as what someone with anorexia or bulimia might set, they are usually very limiting. Those with this disorder take weight loss and healthy eating to an extreme level, limiting relationships and overall happiness.

Thus, they end up being malnourished and unhealthily thin and suffer from several health problems as seen in people with anorexia. The health issues can even be fatal so treatment is crucial to help those with orthorexia nervosa find a healthy balance in life.

Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimics are caught in the devastating and addictive binge-purge cycle. The Bulimic eats compulsively and then purges through self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, ipecac, strict diets, fasts, chew-spitting, vigorous exercise, or other compensatory behaviours to prevent weight gain. Binges usually consist of the consumption of large amounts of food in a short period of time. Binge eating usually occurs in secret. Bulimic, like Anorexics, are also obsessively involved with their body shape and weight. The medical complications of the binge-purge cycle can be severe and like Anorexia can be fatal.

Compulsive Overeating
Compulsive Overeaters are often caught in the vicious cycle of binge eating and depression. They often use food as a coping mechanism to deal with their feelings. Binge eating temporarily relieves the stress of these feelings, but is unfortunately followed by feelings of guilt, shame, disgust, and depression. Binge eating, like Bulimia, often occurs in secret. It is not uncommon for Compulsive Overeater's to eat normally or restrictively in front of others and then make up for eating less by binging in secret. For other Compulsive Overeater's, binges consist of “grazing” on foods all day long. Similar to Anorexics and Bulimic, Compulsive Overeater's are constantly struggling and unhappy with their weight. The number on the scale often determines how they feel about themselves. Medical complications can also be severe and even life threatening for Compulsive Overeater's.

Night Eating Syndrome
Night Eating Syndrome is a disorder where the affected individual wakes multiple times during the night and is unable to fall back asleep unless they eat something. Foods eaten during the binge are often high caloric in content and unhealthy. The night eating behaviour seems totally beyond the effected individual's control. For these individuals, 35% or more of their calories are eaten after dinnertime. Following the night binge, the person is often not hungry in the morning. Individuals suffering from Night Eating Syndrome are often caught in the vicious cycle of binge eating during the night and eating less during the day. Triggers for Night Eating Syndrome include depression, anxiety, interpersonal stressors, boredom, prolonged dieting, and body image dissatisfaction. Night eating may temporarily relieve the stress of these unwanted feelings, but for the night eater these episodes are unfortunately followed by feelings of guilt, shame, disgust, and further depression. For the person suffering from Night Eating Syndrome, the eating episodes usually occur in secret and any evidence is often hidden from others. Similar to Anorexics, Bulimic, and Compulsive Overeater's, individuals suffering from Night Eating Syndrome are often struggling and unhappy with their weight. It is estimated that up to one percent of the population may be suffering from Night Eating Syndrome. Like Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa, and Compulsive Overeating, Night Eating Syndrome is a disease and cannot be cured with willpower alone.

There many other forms of eating disorders but the ones above are the most common. The programmes used at Cressinghams are well tried and have a good rate of success. We have particular success with early onset disorders in children. In many cases of eating disorders there is a huge element of control by the person we NEVER take that control away by forcing someone to eat or conversely go hungry. Our methods allow the patients to change these behaviours themselves.

What happens at a consultation?
I take full notes on your condition and we work out the best route of treatment for you depending on the type and severity of your eating disorder, and other factors. I will require a detailed medical history of your problem, including any past or present conventional medical treatments. Please note that I will require permission from your doctor to work with you.

An idividual programme will be worked out for you with your full input and approval. Over-eating is by far and away the easiest disorder to treat - many people are where they wish to be in 2-3 sessions. Other disorders may take 8 or more sessions even using my rapid techniques.

Sessions are 50-60 minutes.

I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THAT YOU STOP TAKING ANY PRESCRIBED MEDICATION, OR DISCONTINUE ATTENDING ANY OUT-PATIENT CLINICS ORGANISED BY YOUR GP OR A SPECIALIST CONSULTANT.