Eating Disorders can be Helped by Meditating

[Guest guest]

A psychological technique based on Buddhist philosophy and practice

may provide a solution for women who struggle with binge eating and

bulimia.

 

The technique known as 'mindfulness' is being taught to Queensland

women to help them understand and deal with the emotions that trigger

their binges.

 

Unlike many therapies for eating disorders, there is less focus on

food and controlling eating and more on providing freedom from

negative thoughts and emotions.

 

Griffith University psychologists Michelle Hanisch and Angela Morgan

said women who binged were often high-achievers and perfectionists.

 

When such women perceived they didn't measure up to self-imposed

standards or were not in control of situations, they indulged in

secretive eating binges. A typical late-night binge could involve four

litres of icecream and a couple of packets of chocolate biscuits, Ms

Hanisch said.

 

"Many women develop elaborate methods of hiding the evidence of their

binges and some feel so guilty afterwards they also induce vomiting,

overuse laxatives or exercise excessively to counteract the effects of

the binge," she said.

 

"Binge eating is largely a distraction – a temporary escape from

events and emotions that nevertheless can cause long-term physical

problems including electrolyte imbalances. Instead, women need to

learn how to react in a different way."

 

Mindfulness involves exercises similar to meditation that could help

people live more in the moment, develop a healthy acceptance of self

and become aware of potentially destructive habitual responses.

 

"Women who have been through the program report less dissatisfaction

with their bodies, increased self-esteem and improved personal

relationships," Ms Morgan said.

 

"They learn that thoughts and emotions don't have any power over us as

they are just passing phenomena and aren't permanent."

 

Mindfulness has already been shown to be effective as a treatment for

anxiety and depression, substance abuse, and the stress associated

with physical conditions such as trauma, chronic pain or cancer.

 

>From Health News

http://www.healthnews-stat.com/?id=359&keys=binge-eating-disorder-mindfulness