Psychotherapist Mary Jo Rapini answers your questions.
| Q: | What is the best type of therapy for managing obesity? | |
| A: | The best therapy for managing obesity is called Dialectical. This type of therapy works with "chains of events" in the person's life that lead them to choose the maladaptive behavior. It works well with addictive behaviors. I always suggest patients go to meetings like "Overeaters Anonymous" if they feel the cravings coming back after bariatric surgery (this usually doesn't start until about one year to eighteen months after surgery). The best way find a specific therapist who deals with weight loss, or the dialectical type of therapy is to go to www.americanpsychotherapy.com |
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| Q: | What happens to the 'enablers' in a person's life post-surgery? It must be terrifying to them (the enablers) to think that they may not have anything to offer their partners now that the food is gone. | |
| A: | Enablers, whether they are family or friends, exist for every human. The key is to counsel the bariatric patient and empower them so they can first identify the enabler and then take back the power that they have previously given the enabler. The obese person is not the only person who is enabled. they exist for all of us if we allow it. Post-bariatric patients tell me one of the most difficult situations they face are losing many close friends and having to limit certain family members from visiting due to them trying to sabotage the patient. |
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| Q: | What would you say to someone who uses food to fill an emotional need? | |
| A: | When food becomes your lover ... your real human lover or lover potential is getting less than what you are really capable of giving. Many people who love food so much that they begin to use it for comfort, company or love may have an underlying intimacy disorder. This may be worth exploring. | |
| Q: | Can you recommend any books that deal with the emotional reasons of why we over-eat and how to deal with them? | |
| A: | A few of my favorites: Taming of the Chew by Denise LaMouthe Why Weight by Gennen Roth Losing Your Pounds of Pain by Doreen Virtue It's Not About Food by Carol Emery Normandi and Laurelee Roark Face the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers (My personal favorite!) Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting by Lynn Grabbhorn Is God Pink ... Dying to Heal by Mary Jo Rapini (about healing and changing your thoughts that keep you stuck) |
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