Neuroplasticity and the Treatment of Eating Disorders
Posted on: February 21st, 2014
As with other mental illnesses, eating disorders involve patterns of behavior. All of the major eating disorder types – anorexia, bulimia and binge eating – have behaviors and routines that become ingrained and are very difficult to alter.
Lately, much has been written about the field of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is an area of study that involves retooling the brain. As the name implies, “plasticity” or the quality of being easily shaped or molded, suggests that our brain has the flexibility to learn different behaviors. This exciting work in neuroplasticity is useful in the treatment of eating disorders, because it means that we can retrain the brain to abandon harmful behaviors and learn new, healthy ones.
In an interesting article by Constance Scharff, Ph.D., “Ending Addiction for Good,” she explains, “When we develop a habit, the brain creates a path in itself in support of that habit. As we engage in the habit over and over again, the pathway becomes well-worn or stronger. This is similar to lifting a weight. If you lift a weight over and over, the muscle will get stronger.” Similarly, anyone that suffers from an eating disorder develops a pattern of behavior reinforced by the brain. In the case of anorexia, the individual starves him or herself of the necessary daily calories. A person suffering from bulimia falls into a pattern of eating and purging. Disorders such as binge eating typically happen at certain times of the day and become part of a daily routine.
We’ve known for some time that psychotherapy can help people overcome eating disorders, and neuroplasticity explains, from a biological standpoint, why that is. Essentially, psychotherapy identifies underlying issues, potential triggers and typical responses, and then helps transform and redirect thinking toward new, healthy coping behaviors. In her article, “What is Brain Plasticity,” Kendra Cherry explains, “Today, it is understood that the brain possesses the remarkable capacity to reorganize pathways, create new connections and, in some cases, even create new neurons.”
Contact Maureen Kritzer-Lange Psychotherapy if you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder. Email info@maureenkritzerlange.com or call 973-313-1691.
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