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Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Eating Disorders

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Eating Disorders

By: Isabella Favuzza

Many people are extremely critical of the person staring back at them in the mirror. We are our own toughest critics; however, harsh self-objectification may lead to a warped body image. Some may attempt to lose excess body fat or weight to adapt to a distorted self-image, but this obsession builds a negative relationship with food. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) causes one to limit their caloric intake and only consume a select few food groups. This disorder is associated with anxiety surrounding the consequences of eating, avoiding food with undesirable tastes, smells, or textures, and losing interest in eating. ARFID is a relatively newly labeled eating disorder, also known to many as selective eating disorder due to its symptoms. Those with ARFID choose a few foods they consider “fine” to consume and eat them sparingly.

Eating sparingly can cause physical symptoms such as constipation, abdominal pain, significant weight loss, and fatigue. ARFID can also lead to behavioral or mental issues like anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc. While the exact cause of this eating disorder is unknown, research suggests it may result from genetics, environmental influences (models or social media), and previous trauma. Psychological treatment can significantly support those with ARFID. Psychologists can identify trauma, anxiety, depression, etc. and help people cope with these grave issues. Psychologists can offer therapeutic techniques to eliminate one’s distorted body image and start the path to recovery. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Source:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24869-arfid-avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disordern

Anorexia Nervosa: Eating Disorders

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Anorexia Nervosa: Eating Disorders

By: Isabella Favuzza
People are typically their own worst critics when viewing their physical appearance. However, obsessive thoughts and actions regarding one’s appearance are mentally and physically harmful. Those with anorexia nervosa are hyper-focused on their “flaws” and live in a constant state of fear regarding weight gain. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain and extreme measures to rid the body of excess fat. To accomplish this weight loss goal, many restrict their caloric intake, exercise excessively, abuse laxatives or dieting aids, and induce vomiting. Those with anorexia live in fear and utilize these procedures, regardless of the amount of weight lost. Various factors induce anorexia. Western society idolizes thinness, especially within the young female demographic, while some associate self-worth with body weight.

Behavioral and mental symptoms include hunger denial, daily measurements, lying about the amount of food eaten, etc. While these symptoms harm the mind, anorexia also destroys the body due to low body weight, abnormal blood counts, fatigue, yellow skin, dehydration, etc. Anorexia is a detrimental disorder that can result in death due to organ failure and dehydration. Psychological therapy can be life-saving through negative thought reversal and promoting healthy eating patterns. Psychological intervention and cognitive-behavioral therapy support anorexics through mental health regulation and well-balanced nutrition training. Ultimately, proper intervention enables anorexics to regain control of their thoughts and prevent medical complications by maintaining a healthy weight.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia-nervosa/symptoms-causes/syc-20353591

Insomnia: Stress, Anger, and Anxiety

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Insomnia: Stress, Anger, and Anxiety

By: Isabella Favuzza

Numerous individuals lay in bed each night, staring at the ceiling, consumed with thoughts of the past, present, or future. These anxious thoughts may concern life’s stresses and prevent good-quality sleep. The human body requires 7-9 hours of quality rest to function properly and perform daily tasks. A lack of rest negatively affects one’s quality of life due to moodiness, delayed responses, drowsiness, impaired memory, etc. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects 10% of the population, ranging from children to adults. Those suffering from insomnia frequently have difficulty falling asleep, remaining asleep, or receiving good-quality sleep. Insomnia can affect those enduring challenging situations like mental health conditions, life transitions or circumstances, medical conditions, etc. Although insomnia typically isn’t dangerous, it can lead to additional stress, irritability, and anxiety.

For some, insomnia is a minor inconvenience; however, others find it detrimental due to its excruciating symptoms. Psychologists and psychiatrists can offer life-altering support to reduce and even eliminate these chronic symptoms. Psychologists perform hypnosis, which provides deep relaxation by placing one in a trance-like state to clear the mind of anxiety and stress and induce sleep. Individuals can learn these techniques to perform self-hypnosis in the comfort of their own homes. Psychiatrists prescribe hypnotic and sedative medications to psychically rid the mind of undesirable thoughts. Ultimately, the support of psychologists and psychiatrists can reduce insomnia and drastically improve one’s quality of life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with insomnia please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Source:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12119-insomnia

Marriage Therapy: Couples

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Marriage Therapy: Couples

By: Isabella Favuzza

A marriage is similar to a long, winding road with hills and valleys. All couples experience upward and downward periods due to life’s challenges. However, couples must actively choose to continue traveling down that road to maintain a healthy relationship. Marital partners may encounter various relationship stressors, such as psychical or mental concerns, financial issues, deciding whether to start a family, infidelity, etc. These stressors can lead to arguments as each individual feels passionately about these topics. Marriage counseling enables couples to strengthen or rebuild their relationship.

A marriage counselor or therapist helps a couple work through these concerns and regain control of their relationship through their love for one another. A psychologist creates a safe space for both individuals to disclose personal issues that are negatively affecting the relationship. When learning about these issues, the therapist remains neutral to support the relationship rather than a sole party. This space improves communication as both partners express their thoughts, concerns, and emotions regarding specific situations. This newly found communication also enables individuals to gain a deeper understanding of their partner and provides a new perspective. Discouraging marital concerns with a therapist aids the couple to resolve conflict without adding fuel to the fire with anger or resentment. Therapy provides the essential foundation for couples to solve future conflicts with a specific set of tools, rather than sweeping issues under the rug. Ultimately, marriage counseling enables couples to deepen their bond and find their way back to each other by shaping respect, improving intimacy, and rebuilding trust.

If you or your partner is struggling with marital issues or mental health please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Source:

https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/does-marriage-counseling-work

Anger Management: Relationships

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Anger Management: Relationships

By: Isabella Favuzza

A romantic relationship is synonymous with a roller coaster; there are ups and downs and unexpected twists and turns. Those downward periods are associated with bumps that must be navigated together as a couple. These bumps may cause arguments as each individual feels passionately about situations, opinions, etc. Arguments are normal and healthy within a relationship, as partners must express themselves to one another; however, if one individual feels frightened or intimidated due to intense rage, counseling services can be of service. These spouts of fury are known as dysfunctional anger because they do not provide a function during the argumentative stage and cause one’s partner to feel attacked and fearful. Dysfunctional behaviors like extreme rage or fury can be damaging to a relationship, as one individual feels terrified to disclose their feelings and becomes emotionally distant from their partner.

This anger can be diminished and prevented with proper therapeutic treatments. A psychologist can aid couples in overcoming bumps in the road by allowing each individual to communicate their emotions toward one another in a safe environment and dissect the cause of anger during arguments. Psychologists are clinically trained to find the root cause of these behaviors to manage anger and provide relief for the couple. Anger management therapy enables individuals to release their destructive mannerisms and adapt positive life-enhancing reactions to improve the relationship. These treatments also allow the couple to communicate their emotions effectively and have functional arguments to solve problems together as a unit, ultimately preserving the relationship.

If you or your partner is struggling with anger or violence please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Source:

https://www.harrymotro.com/couples-anger-management