● Avoid having large amounts of food available in your home, which could increase the urge to binge. ● Stay in touch with family and friends who want to help you. They can be a significant source of support as you deal with your illness. ● Exercise. Talk to your physician about a program of physical activity and exercise. Exercise is good for overall health, especially if you have health problems that are related to being overweight. ● Do not be so hard on yourself. Avoid negative thoughts about yourself. Avoid being overly critical of yourself. ● Identify situations that trigger binge eating. Work with your psychotherapists to identify and deal with these triggers. ● Look for positive role models. Remember that excessively thin models and actors generally do not represent realistic healthy images. ● Look for a confidant. Find someone to talk to that you can respect and trust and who will support you as you work to decrease binging. ● Keep a journal about your feelings and behaviors. Journaling can help you become more aware of thoughts and emotions and recognize stressors that trigger episodes of binging. Healthcare Interventions Healthcare interventions include the following actions (Gersch et al., 2016; Mayo Clinic, 2018f; Videbeck, 2017; WebMD, 2018): ● Promote positive role models with healthy, realistic body size and shape. ● Include assessment of factors that may contribute to the development of binge-eating disorder and other eating disorders as part of physical and mental health assessments. Such assessment should be conducted regardless of reason for hospitalization or doctor’s office visits. Nurses are often the first to recognize an eating disorder. ● Request that continuing education be provided regarding achievement and maintenance of a healthy weight by the organizations for which the healthcare professionals work. ● Request that continuing education regarding binge-eating disorder and other eating disorders be offered by the organizations for which the healthcare professionals work. ● Encourage that all healthcare professionals who work with clients who have binge-eating disorder or who are overweight or obese objectively analyze their own feelings about the disorder and how they feel about people who are overweight or obese. They should also analyze their ability to provide quality care and client education while acknowledging their personal feelings. Following are actions that relate to helping colleagues and subordinates provide the best possible healthcare (Gersch et al., 2016; Mayo Clinic, 2018f; Videbeck, 2017; WebMD, 2018): ● Promote self-analysis among healthcare professionals regarding feelings and attitudes about binging behaviors and about those who are overweight or obese. ● Model appropriate attitudes toward those who binge and those who are overweight or obese. ● Work with members of the professional development department to develop and provide continuing education regarding binge-eating disorder and obesity. ● Incorporate, as appropriate, job performance competencies related to providing care to persons who binge or are overweight or obese. Healthcare professionals should also work to dispel myths regarding eating disorders and obesity and use advanced leadership skills to promote health and wellness among this population. Following are possible actions (Gersch et al., 2016; Mayo Clinic, 2018f; Videbeck, 2017; WebMD, 2018): ● Promote the identification of healthcare research questions that pertain to binge-eating disorder, being overweight, and obesity.
patterns of interaction, and poor interpersonal relationships (Gersch et al., 2017; Mayo Clinic, 2018f). Dialectical behavior therapy focuses on techniques to help increase stress tolerance and is aimed to improve relationships and regulate emotions. This may help to decrease binge-eating episodes because triggering factors are often negative emotions and unhealthy relationships (Gersch et al., 2017; Mayo Clinic, 2018f). Medications Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are sometimes prescribed. These kinds of drugs can help to reduce feelings of depression and negative thought patterns. For persons who have a coexisting diagnosis of depressive disorder, antidepressants may be a form of long-term therapy. Children, adolescents, and young adults should be monitored for suicidal ideation, which has been linked to antidepressant therapy in these age groups (Gersch et al., 2017; Mayo Clinic, 2018f). The first FDA-approved medication for the treatment of moderate to severe binge-eating disorder is lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse), which acts by curbing the binge-eating episodes. This medication is taken in conjunction with the interventions of a psychologist or psychiatrist (Mayo Clinic, 2018f). Another medication that has been used with some success for treatment of binge-eating disorder is topiramate (Topamax), an anticonvulsant normally used to control seizures. Clinical findings have indicated that this medicine can also decrease the urge to binge in people who have binge-eating disorder. It may also reduce appetite and assist with weight loss (Mayo Clinic, 2018f). Self-Help Initiatives Self-help initiatives—such as self-help books, self-help manuals, DVDs, online programs, and support groups—are helpful for some people. Some of these initiatives can be used independently; others need guidance from mental health professionals (WebMD, 2018). Nutritional Intake Clients should avoid attempting to change their nutritional intake without help. The assistance of a professional nutritional counselor (in conjunction with medical supervision) can help clients learn how to eat in a healthy manner and to lose excess weight without triggering binge eating (Gersch et al., 2016; WebMD, 2018). Healthcare consideration : Self-help initiatives should not be used in isolation. Professional treatment with psychotherapy or medications is usually needed as well (Gersch et al., 2016; WebMD, 2018). Alternative Medicine The following alternative medicine approaches may be helpful to persons with binge-eating disorder (Videbeck, 2017; WebMD, 2018): ● Massage and therapeutic touch: may help to reduce anxiety ● Mind–body therapies: may increase awareness of eating and sensations of fullness and promote a sense of well-being; examples are yoga, hypnosis, and biofeedback ● Acupuncture: may help to reduce anxiety and depression Client Reminders Here are some tips to give persons suffering from binge-eating disorder (Gersch et al., 2016; Mayo Clinic, 2018f; Videbeck, 2017): ● Adhere to treatment regimen. Do not skip therapy sessions. If you have been prescribed a diet or meal plan, follow it carefully. Make sure that you eat foods that give you the proper amount and type of nutrients. Work with the healthcare team to identify an appropriate meal plan. ● Avoid dieting. Dieting can trigger an increase in binging episodes.
EliteLearning.com/Psychology
Book Code: PYMA2024
Page 136
Powered by FlippingBook