For them, treating obesity is secondary to treating the behavior and the thought patterns that cause it. Psychologists tend to think that once the individual understands and can control bingeing behavior, obesity will be easier to treat.
Some types of psychotherapy that have been successful in treating people with binge-eating disorder are listed below.
-Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is designed to confront and then change the individual’s thoughts and feelings about his or her body and behaviors toward food, but it does not address why those thoughts or feelings exist. Strategies to maintain self-control may be explored. This therapy is relatively short-term.
-Interpersonal therapy is short-term therapy that helps the individual identify specific issues and problems in relationships. The individual may be asked to look at his or her family and personal history to try to recognize problem areas and to work toward resolving them.
-Dialectical behavior therapy consists of structured private and group sessions in which the therapist and patient(s) work at reducing behaviors that interfere with quality of live, finding alternate solutions to current problem situations, and learning to regulate emotions.
-Family therapy is helpful in treating children who are binge eaters. It teaches strategies to reduce conflict, disorder, and stress that may be factors in triggering binge eating.
-Some people with binge-eating disorder find selfhelp groups and structured weight-loss programs useful, while others do not.
