Psychological weight loss therapies

refactored · September 2021

I have been reading up on Acceptance and Commitment therapy for weight loss. This Ted talk tries to give a quick introduction.

https://youtu.be/tTb3d5cjSFI

Has anyone else used this or other psychological therapy for weight loss? Is it just a gimmick or can it really help?

penguinmama87 · September 2021

There were a lot of factors, including some psychological, that have affected how I eat food. The best treatment I received was actually for general anxiety and depression and not weight specifically although it came up. A lot of people swear by cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, but it wasn't helpful for me. My therapist used dialectical behavior therapy or DBT instead.

scarlett_k · September 2021

I suppose working through my disordered eating behaviours using CBT and DBT based techniques counts as psychological therapy. I used a few resources but "overcoming binge eating" by Christopher Fairburn was the one that helped me the most. I've also been doing an unrelated (to weight loss) support group that uses REBT techniques which I've found very, very helpful in reframing the way I think and act in a more positive way just in life in general. And I think that helps with my weight management as I have a better toolbelt for coping with life, so I no longer need food as comfort.

refactored · September 2021

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I will look into that book on binge eating. It might be helpful for me.

xrj22 · October 2021

I have definitely found that a therapist or life coach can be very helpful for weight loss and improving healthy lifestyle. I haven't used ACT per-se.

Xellercin · October 2021

Therapy for me was huge in my weight loss.

Not that therapy ever directly addressed weight or eating, because that wasn't relevant. But over eating or over drinking tend to be the product of trying to meet unmet psychological needs through self medication.

Therapy helps meet those needs in healthier ways. Healthier coping = healthier behaviours overall.

al0481113 · October 2021

Silva method works great.

jjpptt2 · October 2021

Xellercin wrote: »

Therapy for me was huge in my weight loss.

Not that therapy ever directly addressed weight or eating, because that wasn't relevant. But over eating or over drinking tend to be the product of trying to meet unmet psychological needs through self medication.

Therapy helps meet those needs in healthier ways. Healthier coping = healthier behaviours overall.

I've had similar experiences. Eating/drinking isn't the actual problem... it's the manifestation of problems.

Psychological weight loss therapies

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