Dr. Gupta is a licensed psychologist and professor at Barnard College, Columbia University. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety and eating/weight issues at Tribeca Psychology in NYC
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.
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.
When seeking help for binge eating and bulimia, much like with other mental health issues, we assume that licensed professionals will provide treatment that’s based on the latest research. Yet, that’s often not the case. New research released online yesterday sought to explain why there is such a divide between scientific research and the practice of therapy in the field of eating disorders.
While we have promising treatments available for binge eating and bulimia, not everyone responds to them. Some people respond quickly and are able to reduce their binge eating and purging within a couple months while others are in treatment much longer or instead drop out. Two new studies looked at women who were either in weekly outpatient therapy or in a hospital day program to see what factors predicted who responded quickly or who dropped out.
With growing efforts to increase awareness of mental health issues, we hope that people have a more accurate understanding of eating and weight issues. What factors causes bulimia? To what degree are people with binge eating suffering from a mental illness? A new study asked adults how they perceived someone suffering from binge eating, bulimia, anorexia, obesity, or depression and compared their responses.
Treatments for eating disorders are increasingly utilizing new technologies to go beyond traditional forms of therapy. Researchers have been incorporating virtual reality techniques to help adults with body image issues. A new study released online this month investigated how virtual reality can help patients long-term.
When struggling with eating and weight concerns, people often reach out to their primary care doctor for help fist. These doctors are a trusted source of guidance and are well trained in the prevention and consequences of obesity. Many people suffering from binge eating and bulimia, however, aren’t obese. A new study suggests that many doctors aren’t comfortable diagnosing eating disorders.
Anyone who has cared for a loved one with an eating disorder is well aware of the stress and psychological toll involved. It’s no surprise that caregivers experience depression and anxiety at higher rates compared to the general population. A new study investigated several specific factors to pinpoint exactly which ones predict worsened depression and anxiety.
Binge eating and purging can have an obvious impact on medical health. Problems can arise with the heart, teeth, digestive system, and kidneys leading to long-term medical issues and, in the worst cases, death. In the face of all these medical issues, the risk of death by suicide is often overlooked. A new study released online this week investigated the unique contribution of bulimia in suicide risk.
For many with eating disorders, anxiety is a common emotional experience. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a specific form of anxiety that tends to occur along with eating disorders. A new study examines how one type of therapy can address symptoms of both OCD and eating disorders.
June 5, 2013