Learn the Relationship Between Eating Disorders and Depression

A lot of people turn to bad eating patterns because they feel they have nowhere else to turn when life becomes tough. These unhealthy coping techniques can be replaced with the help of a therapist, but the process of finally putting an end to your eating problem may bring on feelings of depression.

Therapy

Those with eating problems and depression can benefit from individual, group, and family therapy. For both depression and eating problems, specific psychotherapies include • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

• CBT teaches people to become more self-aware by examining and questioning the assumptions that underlie their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Negative self-talk is a common symptom of mental health issues like depression and eating disorders. They might tell themselves things like “I’m not good enough” or “I need to lose weight to be worthy of love,” both of which are incorrect. A CBT therapist can assist a patient in being more self-aware regarding these thoughts and in taking steps to alter them.
• The Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT was initially developed for those who engaged in self-harming and suicidal behaviors. The primary goal of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is to provide clients with the tools they need to better handle intense emotional ups and downs. Those who suffer from suicidal thoughts with an eating issue may find DBT very beneficial.
• Psychotherapy focuses on relationships (IPT). With IPT, you and your friends and family are the centers of attention, as are the ways in which your mental health and well-being are affected by those around you. In light of the fact that depression and eating disorders may both have devastating effects on interpersonal connections, this may be useful. Relational difficulties compound the difficulty of overcoming these conditions. Recovering from an illness is facilitated by building stronger relationships.
• Therapeutic sessions with the whole family. Particularly effective for young individuals dealing with both an eating disorder and depression, family-based therapy focuses on the whole family rather than just the individual. When loved ones are supportive, the road to recovery might be less arduous. In family therapy, you and your loved ones can talk about how they can help you. Your loved ones, for instance, may be taught how to stop encouraging you to engage in unhealthy eating habits. The dynamics of your family unit can be investigated further in the course of family therapy.

Treatment at a hospital, including nutritional guidance

Whilst it’s ideal for treating both depression and eating disorders at the same time, medical stabilization is an absolute must if the eating disorder has serious, potentially fatal effects on your health. To begin treatment, hospitalization may be required in some instances.

When you’re hospitalized, you’ll have access to close monitoring that can detect and treat problems like malnutrition early on. You may also be offered nutritional coaching to help you alter your diet and eat more healthily. If you’re having suicidal thoughts or have attempted self-harm in the past, you may benefit from being treated in a psychiatric hospital.

Substance abuse therapy in a residential setting

Once you’ve stabilized medically, you have the option of entering a residential treatment program for mental health issues, including depression and eating disorders. Those who are in the early phases of recovery and need more structure and support can benefit greatly from residential treatment.

In most cases, you’ll be required to stay at the same facility where you receive care. The length of time spent at a residential treatment facility might range from weeks to months.