cognitive

The Succeed Foundation’s Vision is “A World Free From Eating Disorders”

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The Succeed Foundation has a simple mission to free the world from eating disorders. Through fundraising and investment in innovative research, and the promotion of ground-breaking evidence-based treatments and preventions, the charity aims to tackle eating disorders in measureable ways.

Every individual with an eating disorder is unique. They will not all respond to the same treatment. In partnership with researchers and clinicians, we develop a broad range of approaches and transform the science into practical tools that sufferers can beneficiate in their daily life as a self-help tool. We want to move from awareness to action.

The Succeed Body Image Programme

 The charity has a wealth of sound scientific research behind it thanks to its association with a number of academic institutions; including the University of the West of England; their Centre for Appearance Research is monitoring the Body Image programme in the UK, headed by research fellow and Doctor Phillippa Diedrichs.

The Succeed Body Image Programme (SBIP) is a cognitive dissonance-based intervention.

Dissonance theory suggests that if individuals act in ways that contradict their beliefs then they will typically change their beliefs to align with these actions. The Succeed Body Image Programme therefore, actively engages its participants in of a series of verbal, written and behavioural exercises that critique the unrealistic, ultra-thin-ideal standard of female beauty.

The SBIP is designed to help individuals across all spectrums to establish and maintain a positive body image. Using highly interactive, peer-led, small groups, it is a two-day, intervention program designed by experts and implemented through trained peer leaders on college campuses throughout the UK.  As the first peer-led, evidence-based eating disorders prevention program shown to truly work, The Body Image Program does not specifically focus on eating disorders; rather, it emphasizes creating and reaffirming positive and healthy personal body image through a variety of structured discussions, activities, and exercises. The phenomenal program has a proven track record – not only on improving body image issues, but on encouraging healthy confrontation and communication skills as well. It is the first scientifically supported evidence-based eating disorders prevention program designed.

Fat Talk Free

Fat Talk describes all of the statements made in everyday conversation that reinforce the thin ideal and contribute to women’s dissatisfaction with their bodies. We want to raise the nation’s consciousness about the danger of fat talk and our initiative is to eliminate that kind of talk from our lives and stop appearances critiques and accept the way we are.

This can be achieved by simply changing our conversation.

Our Success depends on collaboration and monitoring our work we want to focus in what works.

to access the support contact the Succeed Foundation Directly

www.succeedfoundation.org

Carers may find this link helpful too;

http://www.succeedfoundation.org/work/skillsforcarers

 

 

Specialist Treatment for Eating Disorders

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Despite references to eating disorders in texts dating from the time of the ancient Pharoes, and even a mention in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, the development of effective treatments has been slow. 

However, a treatment called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is now yielding results.   Indeed, as a result of research demonstrating its effectiveness, CBT is now recommended as the first line treatment for people who have not responded to a self-help approach.  

 At the heart of CBT lies the deceptively simple idea that eating disorders are driven by an irrational fear of uncontrollable weight gain.  This fear leading to counterproductive forms of dieting which, whilst intended to prevent weight gain, often have the opposite effect and thereby cause more distress and further reinforce the original fear.  CBT tackles the belief that strict diets are the only way to prevent weight gain by encouraging clients to see what really happens when they give up dieting and take up healthy exercise.

 For many with eating disorders the idea of consuming between 1,900 and 2500 kilocalories a day just to see what happens is a terrifying prospect and indeed the treatment is not for the faint-hearted.  But what most people find is that their body burns the energy they consume and their weight remains within healthy limits. 

 Treatment therefore provides a safe and supportive environment in which to take the plunge, give up dieting and see what happens.  And, at the end of six months treatment, if people don’t like the results of their experiment in normal eating, then they are free to return to the diets they were using beforehand.  

 Evidence suggests that about three quarters of people who complete the treatment find it useful.  Whilst this is a promising start, the quest to refine the treatment and thereby improve recovery rates goes on.

Doing CBT is a substantial commitment.  It takes time, energy, hard work, determination, perseverance and courage.  As I tell my clients, “you have to do all the hard work yourself”.  But if living with an eating disorder is ruining your life then it might be worth considering if treatment could be right for you.  If you’d like to talk to someone about whether CBT could help you overcome an eating disorder your GP will be happy to discuss it with you and to make a referral for treatment if necessary.

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/students-health/services/eating-disorders/