Losing weight is difficult enough on its own, but keeping the weight off without support can be next-to-impossible for many people. Besides having to successfully manage feelings like temptation and guilt, those with weight loss goals may also be confronting other complex issues like body image and self-esteem. Some people even use food as a way to self-soothe in the face of overwhelming depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other emotional problems.
How Can Therapy Help?
Because weight loss can be difficult even before painful emotions are triggered, therapists can help with the many layers of support and work that may need to follow any weight loss goals. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy can help the patient un-learn the use of food as a coping mechanism, or help with other fundamental changes that may be required to maintain a new, healthier lifestyle. Food is a necessary part of life, so people with weight-loss goals can also use therapy to explore and change their overall relationship to eating and self-care. If addictive behavior or other strong emotions like depression, loneliness, or anxiety are involved, therapeutic techniques can also help identify and treat these problems properly, so that self-medication with food is no longer needed.
