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Background: Are some people more likely to be addicted to palatable food? Does brain chemistry affect us or are we victims of our environment? We are obligated to understand what we are treating. Our assessment process and treatment approach must be clear and precise to clinical issues that challenge the patient.
Eating disorder research has had a movement away from explanations that rely solely on psychosocial factors to a belief that disturbances in the function of brain neurotransmitter pathways are also highly relevant. Are some people more likely to be addicted to palatable food than others? Is brain chemistry to blame? Or are we victims of our environments? As clinicians we are obligated to know and understand exactly what we are treating. As the DSM-V widens to incorporate BED, our assessment process and treatment approach must be clear and precise to the clinical issues that challenge the patient. The assessment process needs to determine if the food addiction is a primary diagnosis or a co-occurring diagnosis to an existing eating disorder; thereby, the patient would need a treatment plan to address the food addiction appropriately. Once established, the clinician could then determine the appropriate therapeutic model to use in the treatment process.
This presentation will help define, assess, and provide direction for the professionals treating these eating disorder patients. What you will learn from this presentation:
- Past and current research: key terms in addiction research and current findings
- Food addictions and eating disorders: understand the various terminology and diagnoses associated with food addictions and eating disorders.
- The research we love. . . now what: ongoing battle between the hedonic and homeostatic systems. What is ahead in the DSM-V?
- Dietitian’s dilemma and therapist’s quandary: in a society that continues to normalize extremes it becomes harder to define and treat a disorder.
- Know what you are dealing with: utilize appropriate assessment tools to make an appropriate diagnosis and determine the appropriate therapeutic model.
- Sorting the facts: experiential exercise will be completed
- Communication systems: collaborative treatment – who is on the treatment team?
- New paradigms
- Various treatment models: determine appropriate treatment model (i.e., CBT-E, DBT, 12-step models, IPT) that will be most efficacious according to the diagnosis
Eating disorder research has had a movement away from explanations that rely solely on psychosocial factors to a belief that disturbances in the function of brain neurotransmitter pathways are also highly relevant. Are some people more likely to be addicted to palatable food than others? Is brain chemistry to blame? Or are we victims of our environments? As clinicians we are obligated to know and understand exactly what we are treating. As the DSM-V widens to incorporate BED, our assessment process and treatment approach must be clear and precise to the clinical issues that challenge the patient. The assessment process needs to determine if the food addiction is a primary diagnosis or a co-occurring diagnosis to an existing eating disorder; thereby, the patient would need a treatment plan to address the food addiction appropriately. Once established, the clinician could then determine the appropriate therapeutic model to use in the treatment process.
This presentation will help define, assess, and provide direction for the professionals treating these eating disorder patients. This presentation will discuss past and current research, including but not limited to key terms in addiction research and current findings. Participants will also understand the various terminology and diagnoses associated with food addictions and eating disorders. Assessment tools are vast. Assessment tools appropriate in assisting the clinician with deducing an appropriate diagnosis and determining the appropriate therapeutic model will be determined. Collaborative treatment and new paradigms will be named. Therapeutic treatment modalities, such as CBT-E, DBT, 12-step models, and IPT are the most efficacious in terms of this population and will be also be addressed.
Karen Beerbower, MS, RD, LD is a licensed, registered dietitian with a Masters degree in Medical Science from Indiana University School of Medicine. She is co-owner and Clinical Director of Blue Horizon Eating Disorder Services, LLC. She is the President of the private practice firm, Nutritional Guidance, Inc. Karen is a Board Member of the Eating Disorder Network of Central Florida and a member of the ADA, Orlando Dietetic Association, IAEDP, NEDA, Academy of Eating Disorders, National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Sports Cardiovascular & Wellness Nutritionists and Nutrition Entrepreneurs.
