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.
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