I also work with children, adolescents, and adults for whom none of these “labels” apply.
Our journey together is paced, based on your increasing ability over time. My experience and unique skill set will be there to provide gentle guidance as you and I focus on your therapy needs, or your nutritional /Eating Management® skills-building needs, or the combination of all three.
I weave Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills, Narrative talk Therapy, and nutrition /Eating Management skills to assist you in achieving your treatment success.
Support is offered to individuals and families being affected by mild and moderate symptoms, as well as those needing “bridging-care” while waiting on hospital wait-list for more intensive medical care.
The various services are offered either in-office, via encrypted video sessions, or by telephone. Also NEW; the option of adding specialized app support that connects you 5 days /week between sessions, with your eating disorders clinician. This individualized app program, along with your connected clinician will offer the timely guidance /redirection, reminders, DBT, CBT skills tips, words of encouragement, and praises that many are needing to achieve success between appointments.
Binge Eating Disorders, Symptoms and Treatment
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) can quickly become a severe mental and physical health concern, yet it is treatable regardless of the level of severity. BED is characterized by repeated episodes of eating large quantities of food while feeling unable to control the behaviour. This is a state of mind clients often refer to as being “zonked out” or feeling “possessed.” BED is the most common type of eating disorder affecting people worldwide, and with a reported occurrence of 1.6 % to 3.5% occurrence rate in the United States. These figures are widely felt to be underestimated as, unfortunately, all forms of eating disorders, including BED, remain highly under-reported.
What is Binge Eating Disorders?
The term ‘binge eating’ is commonly used in day-to-day life. Most of us have overeaten from time to time; some are willing to admit that we regularly ‘eat more than we should.’ However, eating large amounts of food does not classify someone as having BED. People with clinically diagnosable BED experience a set of symptoms defined by the new DSM-5 that occur at least once a week for three months or more.
Symptoms
The key diagnostic features of BED according to the DSM-5 are:
• Recurrent episodes of binge eating that is defined as an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances accompanied by a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (These features are important because they distinguish BED from simple overeating).
• Binge eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:
1. Eating much more rapidly than normal
2. Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
3. Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
4. Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating
5. Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating
6. Marked distress regarding binge eating is present.
7. The binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for three months.
8. The absence of regular compensatory behaviours (such as purging) does not occur exclusively during Bulimia Nervosa or Anorexia Nervosa.
Cause
While there is no exact cause of BED, researchers believe that, like other eating disorders, BED is influenced by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.
Biological Factors
Ongoing clinical research studies examine the pattern and frequency of multi- generational eating disorders within families, suggesting that there may be a genetic link. Binge Eating Disorders may also be linked to abnormal chemical responses in the brain, such as those involving hormones responsible for regulating appetite. As well, certain medications that stimulate appetite can contribute to binge eating behaviours.
Psychological Factors
BED is often linked to other mental health disorders, including depression, which affects about half of all people with BED. People with BED often binge eat as a way of coping with mental stress or unwanted emotions. As with overeating, a binge eating episode can be triggered by anxiety, sadness, anger and even boredom. This maladaptive coping response is experienced as a way of “numbing out” and temporarily escaping unwanted emotions.
Environmental Factors
Binge eating behaviours can start as a learned behaviour. For instance, some with BED grew up in environments where mindlessly eating large quantities of food, well beyond what is physically comfortable, was and still is normal. In some instances, these environments frequently encourage the use of food as a way of soothing physical pain, suppressing unwanted emotions, or as a reward. Environmentally enforced lessons that portray food as the go-to coping mechanism is often, though not always, a factor to be understood and addressed in the treatment of BED.
Treatment
The first step in the treatment of BED is to accept help from professionals who are specially trained to work with people struggling with eating disorders. These professionals will likely include mental health professions such as Psychotherapist (including a specially trained Social Worker), Psychologists or Psychiatrists. A treatment team approach is likely to include physical health professionals such as again, a specially trained Registered Dietitian, and a medical doctor and possibly an Occupational Therapist. These mental health and physical health professionals will work with you to identify the underlying cause(s) of the Binge Eating Disorder and the most effective course of treatment for you.
As an example, two of the most effective forms of mental health therapy, proven to be highly effective are the treatment of Binge Eating Disorders are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT). CBT has a proven track record in anxiety management, often present with all forms of eating disorders. CBT aims to help individuals identify and understand their COGNITION, which is their thoughts and thought pattern responses, particularly those that negatively influence their behaviour. Once these patterns are identified, individuals are taught how to retrain their minds to create new, more desirable behaviour patterns. DBT, on the other hand, focuses on improving awareness of triggers that sets off unwanted EMOTIONALLY- driven coping responses to stress. DBT’s proven effectiveness as a treatment approach goes beyond improving awareness of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of BED as an unwanted emotional coping mechanism. It also offers unique skills and tools that build onto the cognitive tools and strategies found in CBT. Both CBT and DBT are offered at Eating Dynamiks & Therapy as treatment approaches to Binge Eating Disorders.
Other forms of treatment offered at Eating Dynamiks & Therapy include
a) correcting nutritional deficiencies so that the body and mind become well fed can support each other optimally
b) making adjustments to eating behaviours which ultimately set in motion reasonable hunger and fullness cues
c) correcting physical health injuries
d) medication, if needed.
Eating disorder Support Group, Treatment Groups, or a personalized one-to-one treatment approach all can play an important role in recovery from Binge Eating Disorders.
Eating Disorder Treatment Centers in Toronto: Your Path to Recovery
Are you or a loved one struggling with an eating disorder? Look no further than Eating Dynamiks & Therapy, where Sylvia, an experienced eating disorders therapist, offers top-tier eating disorder treatment in Toronto, Ontario.
Eating disorders can have a profound negative impact on physical and mental well-being. These disorders, which include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, are often characterized by unhealthy eating habits, distorted body image, and an intense fear of gaining weight.
If you’re searching for an “eating disorder therapist near me in Toronto,” you’ve come to the right place. Sylvia’s compassionate and expert guidance can help you or your loved one on the journey to recovery.
Why Choose Eating Dynamiks & Therapy
When it comes to eating disorder treatment centers in Toronto, Eating Dynamiks & Therapy stands out for several reasons:
Evidence-Based Approaches
We employ evidence-based techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy for eating disorders, to address the root causes of your struggles. Sylvia’s therapeutic approach is tailored to your unique needs.
Expertise in Eating Disorders
Sylvia, therapist, specializes in eating disorders. With her extensive experience and knowledge, she understands the complexities of these conditions and is well-equipped to provide effective treatment.
Personalized Care
At Eating Dynamiks & Therapy, Sylvia takes the time to get to know you, your challenges, and your aspirations. This personalized approach ensures that you receive the care and support you deserve.
Comprehensive Treatment
Our clinic offers comprehensive services to address eating disorders and related issues. Whether you’re seeking therapy for anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder, Sylvia has the expertise to guide you toward recovery.
Convenient Location
Eating disorder specialist clinic in Toronto is easily accessible, making it a convenient choice for those in the Greater Toronto Area searching for “eating disorder therapy near me.”
Positive Outcomes
Sylvia’s dedication to her clients has led to numerous success stories. Many individuals who have sought help at Eating Dynamiks & Therapy have experienced significant improvements in their lives.
Contact Us
If you’re searching for “eating disorder specialist clinic in Toronto,” your search ends here. Eating Dynamiks & Therapy is your trusted partner on the path to recovery.
Don’t let an eating disorder control your life any longer. Contact Sylvia today to schedule a 10-15 minute consultation. With the right support, recovery is possible, and Sylvia is here to guide you every step of the way.