Binge eating and Bulimia: The latest psychological research

Five months of CBT vs two years of psychoanalytic therapy for bulimia

Sumati Gupta, PhD — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:01:34 +0000

It’s hard enough to reach out for therapy when suffering from bulimia, but figuring out what kind of therapy to get can be even more overwhelming. Different therapists have different kinds of training and allegiances when it comes to the therapy they practice. A new study came out last week in which researchers directly compared two different types of therapy, psychoanalytic and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for the treatment of bulimia. Interestingly, the lead authors, who practice psychoanalytic therapy, found that CBT was superior.

Getting motivated to address eating issues via an online program

Sumati Gupta, PhD — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 15:10:44 +0000

Many people who binge eat wish they could reduce the behavior, but have a hard time seeking help from a therapist or following through with therapy once they start. While there’s a lot of research on how to increase patients’ motivation once they are in therapy, a major barrier to treatment can be motivating someone to even begin therapy. A new research study released online last week describes a novel internet-based program designed to increase people’s motivation to change problematic eating attitudes and behaviors.

When weight bias extends to the people providing treatment

Sumati Gupta, PhD — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 15:41:43 +0000

As a psychologist who treats binge eating and bulimia, I assume that I am less biased than the average person when it comes to weight. I hear people’s innermost struggles with emotions and eating on a weekly basis. Without experiening a high level of empathy for these struggles, I couldn’t do my job. Despite all that, I live in a culture that heavily stigmatizes obesity. A new research study suggests I might need to re-examine my own possible biases – researchers found that many clinicians who treat eating disorders hold negative stereotypes related to weight.

How difficulties with pregnancy and childbirth are related to binge eating and bulimia

Sumati Gupta, PhD — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 14:38:34 +0000

Many young women with an eating disorder will at some point wonder how their struggles with eating may relate to their ability to have a child in the future. A new study released online over the weekend examined how rates of miscarriage, abortion, and successful childbirth differed among women who suffered from an eating disorder compared to the general population.

What a typical episode of binge eating looks like

Sumati Gupta, PhD — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 21:07:11 +0000

When most people binge eat, they do so alone and feelings of shame often preclude them from talking openly about it. This makes it difficult for the average person to get a sense of how their binge eating might compare to others. A new research study sought to pinpoint what a typical binge eating episode is like in terms of how long it lasts and when it usually happens.

Suffering from an eating disorder during menopause

Sumati Gupta, PhD — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 22:07:01 +0000

We commonly associate eating disorders with young women and, accordingly, researchers have examined the role of puberty and pregnancy in the development of eating and body image issues. With more recent attention being given to eating disorders in midlife and among older adults, another period of hormonal changes is being researched – menopause. A new study released online last week found that during menopause women are particularly vulnerable to an eating disorder.

Father’s age is related to the risk of an eating disorder

Sumati Gupta, PhD — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 16:25:39 +0000

Over the last few years, studies have described how the age at which a man has a child is related to the likelihood his child may develop schizophrenia or autism. When we think about eating disorders, however, fathers are often left out of the discussion. Instead the focus is often on women and the relationship between mothers and daughters. A new study has just examined how paternal age is linked to the risk of eating disorders.

When people who binge eat can't stop thinking about food

Sumati Gupta, PhD — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:57:33 +0000

Given that food is a necessary part of our everyday life, it's natural to daydream about the next meal or snack. While some people think about food only minutes before eating, others are constantly preoccupied with food thoughts via planning, cooking, or needing hours to consume a meal. Such constant preoccupation can become frustrating. What happens when people purposefully try to suppress thoughts about food? A new study examined the relationship between binge eating and food thought suppression.

Distracting yourself vs practicing mindful eating

Sumati Gupta, PhD — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:07:36 +0000

Mindfulness has received increased attention both in academia and the popular press as a tool to help manage anxiety and eating issues. By focusing on the present moment without judgment, mindfulness meditation would ideally help people better manage their emotions. A small new study suggests that for some people with eating disorders, however, mindful eating may not be so helpful.

Online treatments for binge eating and bulimia

Sumati Gupta, PhD — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:49:43 +0000

In the moments when people are binge eating or purging, they are often alone with a computer nearby. Quick internet searches can lead to support in the form of online forums, blogs, and new research (like this site). Can therapy, either individually or as part of a group, serve as an effective new tool that could be conveniently available online? A few new studies released online this month explore the current status of online treatments.