Most of the information we have today about obesity concludes that DIETS DO NOT WORK.  So, what else can we do to stem the tide of morbid obesity?

According to Albert Ellis, creator of the REBT model of therapy, obesity is deeply misunderstood.  I'm sure most people with a weight problem would agree!  (This is my response every time I hear some jerk say that losing weight is simple:  just burn off more calories than you eat!  Grrrrr.....)

The following is a simplified point-by-point construct to explain and treat what is becoming known as Overeating Disorder (OED).  Although not listed in the current diagnostic manual, it can still be diagnosed as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS).  Does everyone who is overweight have a disorder?  Absolutely, not.  Below you will find a set of criteria for meeting the diagnosis (OED).

Overeating from a behavioral standpoint is explained as follows:

BEHAVIORAL:

Overeating results from inappropriate use of food as a reward and defective system of learning regarding food.

Here are some myths not guaranteed to make you feel better about your weight.

Myths Of Obesity:

Excess weight results from:

COGNITIVE THERAPY (specifically:  Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy “REBT”) CHALLENGES SOME BELIEFS AND EXPLAINS MORE ABOUT OBESITY:

Depression is common in overweight people, however, other disorders occur at same rate as they do in slim people.  Studies showed that after weight was lost, depression decreased.

They have different issues from slim people, but those issues abate after weight loss (due to being more accepted by other and having a better self-image).

OBESE PEOPLE USE IRRATIONAL BELIEFS (Thinking Errors) that fall into 4 main categories:

 OTHER POINTS TO CONSIDER:

• Symptoms of emotional eating increases with body weight.
• Emotionally aroused obese eat more when they cannot identify distressing emotions.
• Many obese are depressed.  They focus on depression caused by negative thoughts associated with their weight.  They do not try to lose weight when severely depressed.
• Dieting increases depression because it deprives the body of serotonin.
• Diets themselves cause a type of eating that causes obesity.  (In other words, chronic food restriction leads to binging.)
• People struggling with obesity may be afraid to lose weight because of changes that it brings. (It disturbs comfort levels.)

SYMPTOMS OF OED:

*Similar to criteria for alcohol addiction*

GENERAL REBT TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:

DON’T EAT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, BUT SOLVE THEM!

In case you take this subject "lightly", I want to emphasize--this is serious stuff!  However, please know that there is hope and treatment for people suffering with obesity.