Get Adobe Flash player
NEDA TOOLKIT for Parents Nutritional Therapy Therapy that provides patients with information on the effects of eating disorders, techniques to avoid binge eating, and advice about making meals and eating. For example, the goals of nutrition therapy for individuals with bulimia nervosa are to help individuals maintain blood sugar levels, help individuals maintain a diet that provides them with enough nutrients, and help restore overall physical health. Opioid Antagonists A type of drug therapy that interferes with the brain’s opioid receptors and is sometimes used to treat eating disorders. Pharmacotherapy Treatment of a disease or condition using clinician-prescribed drugs. Progressive Muscle Relaxation A deep relaxation technique based on the simple practice of tensing or tightening one muscle group at a time followed by a relaxation phase with release of the tension. This technique has been purported to reduce symptoms associated with night eating syndrome. Psychoanalysis An intensive, nondirective form of psychodynamic therapy in which the focus of treatment is exploration of a person’s mind and habitual thought patterns. It is insight oriented, meaning that the goal of treatment is for the patient to increase understanding of the sources of his/her inner conflicts and emotional problems. Psychodrama A method of psychotherapy in which patients enact the relevant events in their lives instead of simply talking about them. Psychodynamic Therapy Psychodynamic theory views the human personality as developing from interactions between conscious and unconscious mental processes. The purpose of all forms of psychodynamic treatment is to bring unconscious thoughts, emotions and memories into full consciousness so that the patient can gain more control over his/her life. Psychodynamic Group Therapy Psychodynamic groups are based on the same principles as individual psychodynamic therapy and aim to help people with past difficulties, relationships, and trauma, as well as current problems. The groups are typically composed of eight members plus one or two therapists. Psychotherapy The treatment of mental and emotional disorders through the use of psychological techniques designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems, with the goal being symptom relief, changes in behavior leading to improved social and vocational functioning, and personality growth. Psychoeducational Therapy A treatment intended to teach people about their problem, how to treat it, and how to recognize signs of relapse so that they can get necessary treatment before their difficulty worsens or recurs. Family psychoeducation includes teaching coping strategies and problem-solving skills to families, friends, and/or caregivers to help them deal more effectively with the individual. 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, people with eating disorders 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 eating disorders give up their pathologic preference for food as a self-object and begin to rely on human beings as self-objects, beginning with their therapist. Supportive Therapy Psychotherapy that focuses on the management and resolution of current difficulties and life decisions using the patient’s strengths and available resources. Telephone Therapy A type of psychotherapy provided over the telephone by a trained professional. Page | 29