Stages of Change and Eating Disorders

Identifying the specific areas of change helps to determine what approach to take when confronting an eating disorder or addiction.

For the caretakers, remember, this is a process - be ready to have patience and resolve tested.

Precontemplative Stage

The first step in the movement towards recovery is, the precontemplative stage. This area is identified by an absolute refusal/denial that anything is amiss.

The identified sufferer will not cooperate or believe that anything is wrong. The emotional responses may run the negative spectrum.

Because of of the defense mechanisms involved, a loving, nonjudgmental approach is best. Soft tones of voice along with informational materials are helpful. Arguments or force are counterproductive. The concerned person must realize that an eating disorder as well as an addiction has its own voice. That voice does not want to hear anything that confronts it head on, like a head on car crash. Addressing the issue sideways, is more helpful.

Contemplation

Thinking about change identifies this contemplation step. This does not mean that the sufferer accepts the issue(s) in question. It does mean that the sufferer is beginning to look at possibilities. Again, confrontation by force is counterproductive.

On the flip side, the healthy voice of the sufferer is listening and questioning and wants to hear truth as well as how to step forward towards healing. Like the scales of justice, there is a tough balancing act being fought out within the sufferer between the voices.

There are no time limits to any of these stages. There are many factors and all sufferers are different. What might take one person six months, may take another person years. This could be frustrating for the concerned people. Be ready for the long haul.

Preparation

At this level, the sufferer is actively evaluating the positives and negatives of change. The sufferer has some vision through the denial/defense systems. At this stage the sufferer is more accepting of information regarding the severity of the issues. Entering into treatment is strongly considered.

Action

The sufferer at this stage is taking a proactive stance. He or she wants to do something about the eating disorder or the addiction. Treatment is definitely an option. At this stage, any and all available help and support is needed.

This doesn't mean that the eating disorder or the addiction voice is no longer active, it is, but it has been quieted to some degree. The more invested in treatment and recovery the sufferer becomes, the less of a risk of relapse.

Treatment enables the sufferer and the concerned parties how to recognize and counter act the eating disorder and/or addictive voice. For instance, the eating disorder voice may say, "Don't listen to them [the professionals], they're only in it for the money." The counter voice will learn to recognize the eating disorder voice and respond with, "They care about me and will teach me what I need to know to live successfully, without you!"

Maintenance

The sufferer is actively practicing and learning healthy alternatives to the eating disorder. Expanding recovery knowledge and practice are noticeable.

Termination

The healthy changes learned in the last two stages become a successful lifestyle. Active, mindful recovery must be ongoing to reduce relapse risks.

Other Articles:

• Fact vs. Fiction; and,
• Eating Disorder Payoffs

Sources

Deborah K. Katzman, M.D.,FRCP(C), Leora Pinhas, M.D., FRCP(C),Help fpr Eating Disorders A Parents' Guide to Symptoms, Causes and Treatments, Robert Rose, Inc., 120 Eglinton Ave. E., Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4P 1E2., no date of publication. pgs. 122-123.