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NEDA TOOLKIT for Educators Psychotherapy  The treatment of mental and emotional disorders through the use of psychological techniques (some of which are described below) designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems, with the goal being relief of symptoms, changes in behavior leading to improved social and vocational functioning, and personality growth. Purging  To evacuate the contents of the stomach or bowels by any of several means. In bulimia, purging is used to compensate for excessive food intake. Methods of purging include vomiting, enemas, and excessive exercise. Relaxation Training  A technique involving tightly contracting and releasing muscles with the intent to release or reduce stress. Remission  A period in which the symptoms of a disease are absent. Remission differs from the concept of “cure” in that the disease can return. The term “cure” signifies that the treated condition or disorder is permanently gone and will never reoccur in the individual who received treatment. Residential Services  Services delivered in a structured residence other than the hospital or a client’s home. Residential Treatment Center  A 24-hour residential environment outside the home that includes 24-hour provision or access to support personnel capable of meeting the client’s needs. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)  A class of antidepressants used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and some personality disorders. These drugs are designed to elevate the level of the neurotransmitter serotonin. A low level of serotonin is currently seen as one of several neurochemical symptoms of depression. Low levels of serotonin in turn can be caused by an anxiety disorder, because serotonin is needed to metabolize stress hormones. Self-directedness  A personality trait that comprises self-confidence, reliability, responsibility, resourcefulness, and goal orientation. Self-guided Cognitive Behavior Therapy  A modified form of cognitive behavior therapy in which a treatment manual is provided for people to proceed with treatment on their own, or with support from a nonprofessional. Guided self-help usually implies that the support person may or may not have some professional training, but is usually not a specialist in eating disorders. The important characteristics of the self-help approach are the use of a highly structured and detailed manual-based CBT, with guidance as to the appropriateness of self-help, and advice on where to seek additional help. Self Psychology  A type of psychoanalysis that views anorexia and bulimia as specific cases of pathology of the self. According to this viewpoint, for example, people with bulimia nervosa cannot rely on human beings to fulfill their self-object needs (e.g., regulation of self-esteem, calming, soothing, vitalizing). Instead, they rely on food (its consumption or avoidance) to fulfill these needs. Self psychological therapy involves helping people with bulimia give up their pathological preference for food as a self-object and begin to rely on human beings as self objects, beginning with their therapist. Self-report Measures  An itemized written test in which a person rates his/her feeling towards each question; the test is designed to categorize the personality or behavior of the person. State Mandate  A proclamation, order, or law from a state legislature that issues specific instructions or regulations. Many states have issued mandates pertaining to coverage of mental health benefits and specific disorders the state requires insurers to cover. Substance Abuse  Use of a mood or behavior-altering substance in a maladaptive pattern resulting in significant impairment or distress of the user. Substance Use Disorders  The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines a substance use disorder as a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems. Subthreshold Eating Disorder  Condition in which a person exhibits disordered eating but not to the extent that it fulfills all the criteria for diagnosis of an eating disorder. Supportive Therapy  Psychotherapy that focuses on the management and resolution of current difficulties and life decisions using the patient’s strengths and available resources. Page  | 38