Doing simple, meaningful activities: Occupational Therapy and eating disorders.
The purpose of Occupational Therapy is to get patients to take part in simple daily activities that mean something to them.1 Occupational activities are broadly defined to include everything from taking a walk, to enjoying a good book, to contributing to the community. 2
People with eating disorders can benefit from Occupational Therapy in many ways.
Practical activities that help patients take responsibility for their food—such as creating meals to be eaten later—are encouraged. This can help them begin to overcome their struggles with handling food, eating the food they prepare and eating healthy portion sizes.
Occupational Therapy introduces practical activities into the daily routine of patients with eating disorders. Problem solving is used to handle real-life, anxiety induced situations.3 This treatment strategy emphasizes that patients continue to build responsibility for their own food intake throughout treatment.4
Our occupational therapists help patients focus on constructive behaviors.
Patients with eating disorders tend to immerse themselves in self-destructive behavior based upon their distorted thinking, leaving little time or energy for more constructive endeavors such as working, or spending time with family and friends. Therapists offer the opportunity to explore the patient's interests and to set practical, healthy goals.
Finally, our Occupational Therapy supports the statement of the World Health Organization that says that our health can suffer when we’re unable to carry out activities and participate in everyday life situations.5 So we help patients re-involve themselves in leisure pursuits they might have put off because they weren’t feeling good about themselves, or were too busy putting other peoples’ needs before their own.
Take a virtual tour to learn more about Occupational Therapy at The Center for Eating Disorders.
