Just controlling your eating is not enough to cure yourself of body image problems and may do more harm than good, according to therapist and writer Laura Schultz.
Schultz was commenting on a best-selling book, "It's Not What You're Eating, It's What's Eating You," by Dr. Janet Greeson. This title may be the key to helping people with eating disorders, Schultz said.
"As a psychotherapist, I've done enough research to know that diets do not work in the long run itself and starvation is dangerous to one's health," Schultz said. "... If it is truly 'what's eating you versus what you're eating,' it requires a much more focused approach to examine the psychological and physical reasons to analyze and solve the issue. It is helpful to learn to accept one's body weight where it is at the moment, rather than to beat oneself up, which only leads to more self-destructive patterns."
Dr. Greeson points out that at the root of disordered eating patterns are physical, emotional and spiritual problems that need to be addressed in a comprehensive setting.
Over ten million American women have eating disorders, and half of American women tell researchers that they are unhappy with their physical appearances.
Labels: body image
Posted By: Jane St. Clair