Dr. G. Bjørklund takes an integrated approach to treating eating disorders, combining conventional therapy with insights from nutritional and environmental medicine. This approach offers a tailored strategy for addressing various eating and body concerns, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
The treatment begins by emphasizing the importance of restoring a healthy relationship with food. Eating disorders often manifest as distorted eating patterns and severe dietary restrictions, making nutritional rehabilitation a central pillar of treatment. Patients receive personalized nutritional plans that consider age, gender, activity level, and underlying medical conditions. These plans empower patients to regain control over their eating habits through meal planning, calorie tracking, and portion control.
Addressing nutritional deficiencies common in individuals with eating disorders is crucial. This includes ensuring adequate intake of vital vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, with supplements prescribed when necessary to support physical and mental health.
From an environmental medicine perspective, identifying and addressing stressors contributing to eating and body concerns is essential. This involves recognizing the influence of family dynamics, peer pressure, school stress, and societal norms on body image. Family involvement is integral to the practice, as engaging families in therapy helps address dysfunctional dynamics and supports the patient’s recovery.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy plays a central role in treatment, helping patients identify and change harmful thought patterns and behaviors related to food, body image, and self-esteem. Therapy sessions explore and challenge environmental influences and societal pressures contributing to distorted body image.
It’s crucial to recognize that individuals are not alone in their journey to recovery from eating disorders. Pursuing treatment and addressing symptoms can be effective, life-changing, and even life-saving. Nutritional and dietary management, family therapy, medical monitoring, and other forms of treatment are provided to help overcome eating disorders and disordered eating.
Diagnosing a chronic medical illness, such as an autoimmune condition or cancer, often accompanies psychological stress. This emotional distress can undermine overall well-being and the ability to deal with the medical condition actively. Accepting a medical condition and dealing with it well can bring personal growth and improvement in key relationships. However, when not addressed, the stress of a medical condition can undermine relationships and lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression.