Introduction to Eating Disorders

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Introduction Eating disorders are deadly diseases encompassing a myriad of complications. When appropriate treatment is provided, The National Eating Disorder Association (2013) states that recovery from an eating disorder takes years of applying skills learned through treatment; therefore, treatment takes multiple years, it does not occur overnight. The difficulty with eating disorder recovery is that body image is the last symptom to improve (National Eating Disorder Association, 2013). A group designed to assists individuals in recovery from an eating disorder improve their body image will provide the support that is needed to overcome the last hurdle of the recovery process. The following paper outlines a group that permits individuals to explore their body image, which Cash (2008) describes as a complex issue including “perceptions, beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and actions that pertain to your physical appearance” (p. 1). By exploring several goals and completing weekly group activities, emotions related to body image are brought to the surface, allowing individuals to incorporate new coping skills in their recovery. Type of Group and Setting This group will function as a psychotherapy support group for individuals diagnosed with a feeding or eating disorder and suffering with negative body image. The weekly 90-minute meetings will take place at a local eating disorder outpatient treatment center in a group room. Group Participants The groups participants will consist of individual’s, both male and female, suffering from the various diagnoses represented in the feeding and eating disorders section of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013).... ... middle of paper ... ...ting disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69, 1-13. doi:10.1002/jclp.21909 Cash, T., F. (2008) The body image workbook (2nd ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. Dove (2014). Real beauty. Retrieved from http://www.dove.us/Our-Mission/Real-Beauty/default.aspx Gladding, S., T. (2012). Groups: A counseling specialty (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. National Eating Disorder Association (2013). Developing and maintaining positive body image. Retrieved from http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/developing-and-maintaining-positive-body-image National Eating Disorder Association (2013). Eating disorders don’t discriminate. Retrieved from http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/developing-and-maintaining-positive-body-image National Eating Disorder Association (2013). Recovery. Retrieved from http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/recovery

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