Women's Therapy Services

of the San Francisco Bay Area

415-281-0828

Eating disorders

Do you have an eating disorder?

Eating disorders take on many forms: compulsive overeating, bingeing, bulimia (overusing laxatives or purging food), anorexia (self-starvation), or alternating between bingeing and starving. This behavior may be chronic or may happen in times of stress. The level of severity can vary too. When you have an eating disorder you focus on food and your body in a negative, unhealthy way. You may feel out of control, or totally in control, and you are being destructive to your body and yourself.

Do you think or feel any of the things listed below?

Having an eating disorder is painful. Some common thoughts/behaviors are:

  • I feel hopelessness, despair and shame about my behavior.
  • I have a tendency to isolate even though I feel lonely.
  • I obsess about my physical appearance and hate my body.
  • I go back and forth between dieting and then gaining weight back.
  • I have trouble expressing my anger, fear or neediness.
  • I have difficulty finding positive ways to reward myself except with food.
  • I can be extremely harsh and self-critical.
  • I focus on taking care of others more than myself.

How can therapy help me?

Many people with eating disorders have unsuccessfully tried to manage alone for many years and feel very discouraged. Coming to therapy, admitting you need help, and facing the pain of the behavior that is out of control is a tremendous first step. In the therapy process, we work towards understanding the emotional components of your eating as well as developing healthier coping skills, behavior, and eating habits.

We look at a variety of factors like:

What food or emotion may trigger the destructive behavior? What can you do to cope? Is there a food plan that adds safety to my eating? We will help you evaluate and decide if you can use the help of a nutritionist in addition to therapy.

What family patterns may perpetuate my negative behavior? This could include how you were taught to feel about your body and food as a child and what kind of attitude your parents and caregivers had towards food and weight themselves. Was one or both of your parents always on a diet or dissatisfied with their weight? Did a parent or sibling take pleasure in feeding you while depriving him/herself? Remember that most girls even as young as 8 or 9 are thinking about or actually dieting. What kind of message does this give about the way girls are taught to feel about their bodies?

Is there someone in your life who is sabotaging your well-being?

How can you cope with loneliness, depression or fear?

Therapy involves a relationship that forms over time. You can begin to feel that there is someone on your side. You can begin and continue to sort out why you feel afraid and how to handle it. Sometimes medication for anxiety and depression and group therapy can be helpful in addition to individual therapy. A psychotherapist will work with you to set realistic goals and to develop the resourcesto meet them. Patience, finding ways to feel that you are worthy of compassion, and of taking better take care of yourself are part of the healing. Sometimes 12-Step meetings, groups or other kinds of support are part of the recovery program. A therapist with whom you can develop a trusting relationship, can help sort out with you what best suits your particular problems and unique needs. At Women's Therapy Services, we have years of experience working with women recovering from the pain of eating disorders. Please call us with any questions or to set up an appointment at (415) 281-0828.