Cognitive Restructuring In Anorexia Nervosa
What Is Cognitive Behavior Therapy?

Cognitive restructuring (cognitive behavioral therapy) is the psychological term for a therapeutic process. In those who are suffering from anorexia nervosa or other eating disorders, it's the process of challenging their faulty thinking, or irrational thought patterns.

In cognitive restructuring, the eating disorder therapist will first make the patient aware of his or her distorted thoughts. This is crucial.

It's typically done both verbally, during the course of conversation, and in writing. The therapist will usually ask the patient to keep a journal of their thoughts throughout the week.

I can honestly say that when I was in treatment for anorexia, I was not aware that I had any strange or illogical thoughts. I had been sick for so long that it all became normal to me.

During the cognitive restructuring process, I think a good therapist should be gentle, but direct in their approach. After all, you don't want an anorexic or bulimic feeling any more anxious than they already do.

For example, instead of blurting out something like, "That makes no sense - you have it all wrong...", perhaps something like "There could be another way to look at this..." would be far more effective -- at least it was for me.

In cognitive behavior therapy, the therapist would now present more beneficial, specific alternatives to refute the anorexic's faulty thinking, or errors in judgment. The goal is that you will one day be able to replace the irrational thoughts with more accurate ones, and engage in some positive self talk.

It sounds simple enough, but the longer you've been thinking a certain way (suffering from disordered eating), the more difficult the whole process will be. It is possible to get there eventually, but it requires lots of hard work, determination and - believe it or not - practice.

Cognitive Restructuring Issues For Anorexic Patients

For patients with anorexia nervosa, cognitive restructuring focuses mostly on issues that are related to:

• Distorted body image
• Anorexic diet
• Fear
• Perfectionism
• Control
• Low self esteem

Some of the treatment goals in cognitive behavior therapy involve reducing avoidance of people or situations that may trigger anxiety, gradually increase caloric intake, and decrease physical activity if excessive exercise is a problem, as it so often in with anorexia.

Cognitive Restructuring In People With Bulimia Nervosa

Cognitive restructuring is also extremely effective for people with bulimia nervosa. Therapy focuses on issues that are very similar to that of an anorexic, but there are slight variations. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) involves the treatment of complications such as:

• Bingeing and purging
• Loss of control
• Fear of weight gain
• Self esteem issues

Studies have shown that psychotherapy is effective in reducing the occurrence of binge-purge cycles and increasing the feeling of overall psychological wellness of the individual.

Read examples of common cognitive distortions in patients with anorexia and other eating disorders.

---------------
Like what you just read? Let us know! Log into your Google account, then click on the "+1" below.
---------------