Emotion-Focused Group Therapy

Have you noticed that your friend has been going to the bathroom after meals? Have they have been eating more than normal? Or maybe less? Maybe they are eating mints after meals all of a sudden, or saying they have already ate when you ask them out to eat. They might be exercising a lot more than a normal person should. They may even be cold all the time, moody, or distant. Your friend may have an eating disorder. It is not always easy to tell. There are many different types of eating disorders that can have different effects on the lives and relationships of their victim, but all of them can be deadly. For those afflicted with eating disorders eating can be a long drawn out struggle which could be detrimental to their self-image as well as …show more content…
They can also occur due to psychological factors, chemical imbalances, or social pressure. While these are only a few causes of eating disorder they share one common factor, they could cause real damage to a person’s health. There are treatments to help those with eating disorders though normally it is a problem that is dealt with throughout a person’s life. One treatment that has shown to be effective is Emotion-Focused Group Therapy. A study done by Maggie A. Brennan, Michelle E. Emmerling, and William J. Whelton called “Emotion-Focused Group Therapy: Addressing Self-Criticism In The Treatment Of Eating Disorders.” shows that it can be effective in helping overcome these terrible disorders “This group was well-received by participants and is a promising approach to therapy for eating dis-orders, one that incorporates many lessons from basic research on emotions in this population”. There are also other types of treatment for instance there is regular therapy and in-patient …show more content…
It can have a terrible impact on the people it affects and often can lead to death. Someone effected by eating disorders have to struggle with their own thoughts often feeling guilty for eating too little or too much. The reasons and the eating disorder may vary however often times can be very emotional. It is a lot like you are your own worst enemy and sadly this is not normally something that just goes away. People with eating disorders who have made it to recovery more often than not can relapse which is even harder on them emotionally. With a good support network and the right treatment, people can get back to their normal life and thrive. While sadly there are people who do not make it, I think that it’s important that we as a society recognize that there are people suffering and try to help them. Eating disorders are a horrible thing to go through and it takes a huge mental toll on its victims, but in the end though it is all about building a better relationship with food no matter how much or little is actually