Hypnotherapy for Eating Disorders and Problems
If you have an eating disorder that is taking control of your life emotionally and physically, then hypnotherapy could provide a solution. With the help of a professional therapist you can work through the root causes and develop a healthier relationship with food.
Overcoming Eating Disorders with Hypnotherapy
If you have a distorted relationship with food, this can lead to an eating disorder. For many people with an eating disorder it is often due to underlying problems, such as anxiety, emotional distress, or related to other areas of life which you have lost control over. This combination of factors can lead you to changing your relationship with food and distorting the way you see yourself. Over a period of time, your thoughts become more focused on food, how it changes the way you feel, how much and what you are eating and what you do after you have eaten.
What are Eating Problems?
There is no single sign or symptom when it comes to problem eating. While some people may become obsessed with their bodies, how they look, or their weight, others may focus on how eating makes them feel: whether that’s giving them a sense of control, helping them to numb other feelings or creating a temporary feeling of happiness or comfort.
Experiencing problems with eating can present in different ways. For some, this could involve eating less than they need for their body to have enough energy to function properly. For others, it can involve eating more than they need over a short or long period of time, and may or may not involve making themselves sick afterwards to ‘purge’ what they have been eating. You may even struggle with food types, variety, textures, or smells which, while often dismissed as ‘fussy eating’, can have a significant impact on your diet and overall well-being.
Anyone can develop an eating problem at any stage of their lives, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background. Feelings of guilt, shame, or even denying that you have a problem are common reactions but know that help is available.
What are the Most Common Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are serious conditions, where an unhealthy relationship with food can take over your life and affect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Young women aged between 13 to 17 are the most commonly affected group, however it can affect anyone, at any time, at any age. Early intervention is key to a successful outcome and can significantly increase your chance of recovery and this is where hypnotherapy could be a solution.
Below are the most common forms of eating disorder:
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulimia
- Binge eating disorder (BED)
- Other specified eating disorder (OSFED)
- Avoidant and / or restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
Donna Marie Thomas
Hello, my name is Donna, I am a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and Registered Member of BACP based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
I have a passion for helping people to enjoy a happier, more fulfilling life via a person centred approach to therapy tailored to meet each individuals specific needs.
Get in touch to find out more or book an appointment with me today.
Understanding Eating Problems
In order to gain a better understanding of eating disorders can be tricky. There’s no getting away from the fact that food is something we encounter every day – we need it to survive!
Many of us though have a complicated relationship with food and when this relationship becomes distorted, our interaction with food can turn into an unhealthy coping mechanism which we use to deal with difficult or troubling emotions and situations.
Factors such as an increased need for control, low self-esteem, or a desire to numb difficult emotions can be significant contributors. In addition, influences such as our genetic makeup, social pressures and personality can all play a role.
Signs and Symptoms of an Eating Disorder
There are a number of different signs and symptoms that you can look out for in relation to eating disorders, the most common ones are as follows:
- Spending a lot of time worrying about your weight, body shape, size, or appearance
- Changing social plans or avoiding situations where food might be involved
- Restricting what or how much you eat (eg. cutting out certain food groups, or sticking to a very low calories)
- Making yourself sick or taking laxatives after you eat (whether you have eaten a little, or felt like you have over-eaten or ‘binged’)
- Exercising excessively
- Having very strict habits or routines about food
- Significant changes in your weight
- Mood swings
- Feeling cold, tired, or dizzy
- If you menstruate – your periods have stopped or become infrequent
Hypnotherapy for Eating Disorders
Hypnotherapy can be a helpful tool for many different forms of eating problems, especially if you have found other approaches are failing. Many people will utilise hypnotherapy as part of a co-ordinated approach to their eating disorder, working alongside other medical professionals as part of a team approach.
Hypnotherapy can be especially helpful for those who struggle with eating too much (bing eating) in a short space of time. For some people, it can feel like a compulsion to keep eating, or as though they cannot stop until all of the food on their plate is gone. Uncovering past events that may trigger or influence your relationship with food Is something which hypnotherapy can uncover.
If your struggles with eating are very behaviour-orientated, it can feel like you are trapped in a cycle. Hypnotherapy can be used to make positive suggestions to the subconscious to help break this pattern. Helping to improve your self-esteem and confidence, the aim of hypnotherapy for is to improve your relationship with food and yourself.
Reducing stress and anxiety is another key way hypnotherapy can help. Often those with eating problems find symptoms exacerbated by stress. Relaxation techniques can also help people continue with this work outside of their sessions.
How Innerworth Counselling Can Help
Hypnotherapy can provide you with a safe, soothing, compassionate and confidential space where you can begin to discuss and understand the root causes of your eating problems.
Take the First Step Now
I offer private hypnotherapy, and take a person-centred approach, meaning that I’m non-judgemental, see clients as equals, and collaborate on your healing journey together.
If you feel that you could benefit from hypnotherapy for an eating disorder please book an initial consultation. You don’t have to prepare for this, just come as you are and we can look into how I might be able to help.
Additional Information
Here are some links that you may find helpful:
BEAT
The leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families – info, helplines, local support groups.
www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Eating Disorders Support
Offering helplines staffed at various times throughout the day, weekend, and evenings along with various support groups.
www.eatingdisorderssupport.co.uk
Samaritans
The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on: 116 123.
www.samaritans.org
Contact me today to book a confidential consulation
What My Clients Say
Jason Osborne
I shall be forever bewildered by the effectiveness of hypnotherapy. I had always remained sceptical until my very last session, then the “weight” that suddenly lifted was both physical and emotional and continues to benefit both myself and those around me three years on – thank you Donna.
Jason Osborne
Abigail Johnson
I’ve finally found a solution to my dependency on food. Your weight-loss therapy sessions have seriously transformed my life. Honestly, I could cry, I am so happy and feel like a totally new person, inside and out! Truly amazing Donna.
Abigail Johnson
Charlotte Dickinson
I went to see Donna because my anxiety and depression had spiralled out of control. I now have skills and techniques that I can use for the rest of my life to help me cope with any challenges. Thoroughly recommend psychotherapy from Innerworth Counselling. Donna is warm, professional and clearly passionate about what she does.