Eating disorders, such as binge eating, anorexia, and bulimia nervosa can not only be physically, emotionally, and financially draining but can also prove fatal. They also cause great grief to family members and friends that witness their loved ones in dire need of help but don’t know what to do or who to turn to. Fortunately, I have been trained to work with clients who suffer from an unhealthy relationship with food. At Pathways Counseling Service, I strive to neutralize one’s over-preoccupation with food so that meal times need no longer trigger an excessive need for control or lack of control. Below, are just some employs of the eating disorder services that we provide in Salem:
Binge Eating
Officially recognized in this year’s revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as a disorder, binge eating is a more common occurrence than previously recognized. The allure of food to bury emotions and feelings of emptiness has proven to be a quick fix. Unlike other addictions like alcohol and drugs, food is an essential part of every day. For a number of people, it has become increasingly more difficult to set limits once triggered by a combination of hunger and an inability to feel satiated. At Pathways Counseling Service, I employ a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (examines one’s feelings and distorted thoughts) with journaling, daily goal setting, and a discussion of one’s struggles and accomplishments to arrive at a solution.