Bulima

[beaches6]

I have a client coming in tomorrow with Bulima, I would like advise if on your work with Bulima people. I always reseach before clients come in if i need to but this is a touchy subject. I know a little but anything else would be greatly appreciated. thank you

[Unregistered]

REFER OUT! You can't even spell it correctly and you say you know "a little."
Would you want to be in this client's shoes? For cying out loud!

[beaches6]

obviously unregistered you have got nothing else to say in this forum but being critical so if you don't have any positive imput go and chat to someone else that will be down to your standed.

[EC]

Hi beaches6,

I believe that all to often, we focus on the "symptom" rather than focusing on the cause, or, on the solution.

Bulimia is a symptom just as is depression, nail biting etc. Research and focus on the symptom tends to result in the therapist just trying to build a script or give direct suggestion. That is just not likely going to work with a problem that exhibits this level of expression. This issue, like most others, will benefit from either an analysis of "cause", or, perhaps an NLP (choose a new behavior).
approach. It is just my opinion though, that this type client needs the release provided by analysis and not just change-work.

Hope this helps,
EC

[Unregistered]

..... its a long and scary road when you have an eating disorfer and you feel like no one cares about you and you hide somuch inside! take your time with him/her

[skip]

Hi beaches6,

With kindness, I think I might also come down on the side of the unregistered guest, especially since you have only one day to prepare.

I do however want to soften it somewhat.

From the client's perspective, if they know that you have no experience with this, and they are willing to let you work with them, that's one thing. You do have to gain experience with the various complaints somehow.

But if you dont have experience, and the client is under the impression that you know what you are doing, then it is certainly possible that you might hear words like fraud and malpractice being bandied about. Nasty things to hear in a court room, or to have other perspective clients hearing.

When a client is presenting something new to me, I have no problem with telling them, I havent encountered this before, and that while I am confident that I can help, at least in some areas, if not all, they need to know, that we both will be breaking some new ground.

BUT, I am in a position that I dont need clients, and as such can afford to 'lose' anyone who comes calling. A new person in practice might be advised to cherry pick, even though it's hard on the pocket book. You gain a lot of experience, and you establish a solid reputation of success, before you begin taking on more 'risky' projects. Of course your situation may vary.

skip

[Simple Guy]

Guest,

Thank you for expressing your feelings. Do you have an eating disorder?

[beaches6]

Skip

Thank you for your advice. Yes, I did tell her that I had not much experience with her complaint, she was still willing to come to me on a referral from her friend. I feel the universe will not send me people that I can not help. So I do my best. I saw her the other day for the second time and I explained to her that if I feel I need to refer her on I will. I'm not in this type of practice to make money, just to help people. Any advice I get from this forum is in my world, is learning, we all have to start somewhere. As for the unregistered reply earlier I still feel they are not learning they just want to criticize.

thank you again

beaches

[skip]

beaches,

Here is the bit I know from the bluemics I have worked with.

You know you have a serious bluemic, if she has bought a padded toilet seat for her chin.

Bluemics often have a 'rational' conscious reason why they are doing it. That doesnt mean there isnt an unconscious objective, that they are unaware of, consciously.

Anorexia and bluemia often have a situation where the image the person 'sees' of themselves reflected in the mirror, isnt an accurate reflection. In other words when they view themselves in the mirror, or think of their body image, they tend to distort it.
For example a, 22 years old, 95 lb, 5'6", young woman thinks she is fat. She looks in the mirror and actuallty percieves fat on her body. She is in fact so malnurished she cannot mensturate.

Finding alternative behavior that satisfies both the unconscious and conscious desire, is effective. AND reconciling the distorted body image, if presenting, is imperative.

hope that helps,

skip

[Brigitara]

[QUOTE=beaches6]I have a client coming in tomorrow with Bulima, I would like advise if on your work with Bulima people. I always reseach before clients come in if i need to but this is a touchy subject. I know a little but anything else would be greatly appreciated. thank you

Dear Beaches6,
With Bulimia, it is advisable to help the client with a "whole person-centered program," which includes hypnotherapy, nutrition, exercise, and spiritual counseling. Their treatment plan may also include self-hypnosis tapes or CDs, activities for creative expression, music therapy, and group therapy. They may even need medical attention. An M.D., N.D.,
Acupuncturist, Nutritionist, etc. may be helpful or necessary to insure that they are getting the complete proper health care. They may also be on medication, and that can affect their sessions, health, progress, etc. I don't feel that you can find all the info. that you need, in a thread, but I can share a little to help you furthur your research/study.
Groups like Overeaters Anonymous, (and others that may help with eating disorders) are often a great way for clients to find a support system they feel comfortable with, and with whom they can depend on for help, in stressful times. You can check for local group listings in health magazines, on health food store bulletin boards, in newspapers, phone books etc..
A "release form" for clients to sign, saying that their doctor knows they are seeing a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist is legally appropriate. In my hypnotherapy courses, we were given sample forms. I later got my own, when I became certified as a Weight Loss Coach with a national health/nutrition company I work with. If they are not seeing a doctor or other professional, and I feel they need to, I reccommend it at the first meeting, or phone interview.
I have been a Clinical Hypnotherapist since 1992, and my previous work as a counselor in mental health centers (and out-patient centers), and as a Weight Trainer, Aerobics Instructor, and Nutrition Consultant, at health spas, has given me some experience and knowledge about clients with these issues. I work with two Health and Nutrition companies and I recommend the nutritionals, meal plans, and exercise programs to clients with these (and other) issues.
Anorexic and bulimic behaviors have been enhanced and often instigated by societal belief systems, T.V and Magazine ads, etc.. The client needs to have experiences and affirmations that create positive self-esteem, empowerment, and acceptance of themselves. Self-love and forgiveness is extremely important. In our society, women are expected and encouraged to be thin (often unrealistically/unhealthfully so). Male dominated religions and deities have also played a role in women's issues.
In reality, many of the models have air brushed photos, and the bodies in the photos are not as they are in real life. Many clients begin the bulimic behavior as a way to be and/or stay thin, but it later becomes a habit, and may possibly become a life threatening situation. It's important to help clients see and understand the deception behind the ads, and to release the false perceptions of beauty. They need education and guidance in building a healthy body and mind.
The client's "body image" eventually becomes distorted, and they see a heavy person in the mirror, even if they are actually thin. One of my clients would get extremely stressed and upset, if the inside of her thighs "touched" when standing. Although she was very thin, she felt she was fat, and could never lose enough weight to feel okay or attractive. Her mother was anorexic, and had similar issues, but it is not always something that originates with a parent. She was helped with a team approach. I was her Therapist and Exercise/Nutrition Consultant in an out-patient program. She also had a psychiatrist.
Eventually, many clients with bulimia become guilt ridden, fearful, overwhelmed, and controlled by their habit. They begin to have physical/emotional/psychological health issues, which can become serious. Food may replace social events and relationships. There are various levels of severity and varied lengths of time for treatment.
Studies have shown that the majority of bulimic/anorexic people are intelligent, high achievers, and were often well-behaved children. They may feel pressure to perform and be the "best;" often to the point of feeling overwhelmed by "taking on" too much. Food may give them a false sense of relaxation, as they slow down, after eating too much. Some eat when stressed, and then purge when they feel uncomfortable. It becomes a habit, and later an illness. Hypnotherapists can help them learn healthy ways to relax.
I find that societal pressures to be attractive, thin and perfect (and the stresses caused by the desire/need to be perfect) during their teen and college years, contributed most to my clients' issues as adults. One client said that Bulimia was very common at her college, and that even her friends and boyfriend joined her in ritual binging/purging. In my research I found that it was a common behavior among the elite, at ancient Roman Social Feasting Events. They would continually feast and purge at the banquet. I wondered if some of the present college and high school group binging/purging had anything to do with past lives in this Roman era. It would be an interesting past life research project....
If clients have a "past life" situation that contributes to the present disorder, this needs to be cleared/healed. So the Therapist's knowledge and experience in Past Life Regression/Healing is valuable and imortant in this, and many other issues. Spiritual Hypnotherapy is also helpful.
I created a CD for weight Management that I find to be helpful for people with weight issues. The focus is on health, relaxation, a positive body image, and includes visualizations/affirmations. I have them use the CD regularly after the first session to reinforce the changes and new behaviors. It has affirmations about desiring and enjoying healthy foods, exercise, proper rest and sleep, and balance. It helps them stay focused on their health/nutrition goals and reprograms their subconscious for positive thinking and healthy behavior.
Clients need to have a desireable "alternative" behavior, activity and vision to replace the undesired behavior. The desired behavior needs reinforcement, so behavior modification training (and experience) is helpful for a Clinical Hypnotherapist to have. The desired behavior/vision needs to be something that is powerful enough to inspire the client to drop the old behavior and strive for a better future and way of life. Affirmations help.
Music, dance, bicycling, aerobics, weight training, running, yoga, tai chi, etc. may be a great alternative activity. But caution must be used, to make sure the type and amount of exercise matches their ability to do so, safely. This is where a nutritionist/exercise physiologist can be helpful, and where an M.D., Acupuncturist, or N.D. may be needed. In more advanced cases, there can be heart difficulties, muscle atrophy etc., so mild exercise may be best, while gradually moving up to regular aerobic activity. Massage is often helpful, when recommended by a health care professional.
Clinical Hypnotherapy courses for Weight Management, Bulimia and Anorexia, and searching the web for clinical research on the subject before seeing the client regularly would be advisable. One day is a very short amount of time to cover such a broad subject. My Clinical Hypnotherapy courses had specific classes on eating disorders and weight management. I feel these are essential for a professional Hypnotherapist.
Are you a member of ACHE? It may be wise to consult them, and get legal information about issues that may involve the treatment of clients with possible medical conditions. On my Weight Management CD, it states that it is not intended to be used for the treatment of medical ailments. For my weight management programs I recommend that clients give me a release form signed by a doctor before starting the programs. Both of my nutrition/health companies advise people starting on the weight management programs to consult a doctor before beginning any nutritional or weight management plan. .
Being a friend, and just having someone to listen and understand (without judgement), can be one of the most helpful things for a person with this type of issue. But for a regular therapy approach, I recommend research, study, experience, and a "team" to help you with this issue for your client. Or as someone suggested, you may "refer" the client to someone who has experience and knowledge in this area. I feel that having a balanced team, and helping the client to have balance in "all" aspects of her/his life, is a major key to healing this issue.
Good luck on your research, study and experience in this area.

Bright Blessings, Brigitara A. Isis


brigitara@brigitara.com
http://www.brigitara.com
http://www.brigitara.isagenix.com