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WHEN it comes to battling eating disorders, two psychologists have found that a psychological technique based on Buddhist philosophy and practice may provide a solution for women in the West. Griffith University psychologists Michelle Hanisch and Angela Morgan have come up with a technique known as ‘mindfulness’, which is currently being taught to women in Queensland, Australia, to help them understand and deal with the emotions that trigger their binges. The psychologists revealed that unlike many therapies for eating disorders, there is less focus on food and controlling eating and more on providing freedom from negative thoughts and emotions. They revealed that women who binged are often high-achievers and perfectionists. These women turn to binge eating when they fail to meet self-imposed standards, or feel as if they are not in control of situations. A typical late-night binge could involve four litres of ice cream and a couple of packets of chocolate biscuits. This leads them to develop elaborate methods of hiding the evidence of their binges, with some turning bulimic or anorexic, Michelle Hanisch revealed. "Many women develop elaborate methods of hiding the evidence of their binges and some feel so guilty afterwards they also induce vomiting, overuse laxatives or exercise excessively to counteract the effects of the binge," she said. "Binge eating is largely a distraction — a temporary escape from events and emotions that nevertheless can cause long-term physical problems including electrolyte imbalances. Instead, women need to learn how to react in a different way," she added. The psychologists insist that ‘Mindfulness’, which involves exercises similar to meditation, works as it teaches people to live more in the moment, develop a healthy acceptance of self and become aware of potentially destructive habitual responses. "Women who have been through the program report less dissatisfaction with their bodies, increased self-esteem and improved personal relationships," Angela Morgan said. "They learn that thoughts and emotions don’t have any power over us as they are just passing phenomena and aren’t permanent," she added. Mindfulness has already been shown to be effective as a treatment for anxiety and depression, substance abuse, and the stress associated with physical conditions such as trauma, chronic pain or cancer. — ANI
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