Adventure Therapy for Eating Disorders

The thrill of hiking a mountain or the rush that comes from a long horseback ride may be the impetus for making other changes that boost self-esteem and good mental health. The natural positive feelings that come from achieving a goal, rising to a challenge or defeating a fear may translate to health benefits beyond the immediate feelings of euphoria.

A study in 2009 examined the effectiveness of adventure therapy in treating eating disorders. The study looked at how participating in challenging outdoor activities could benefit individuals struggling with disordered eating behaviors and make changes that help them improve both physical and mental health. Both self-confidence and a motivation for change can be the result when adventure therapy is used as a tool to help women with eating disorders.

Women with eating disorders are generally diagnosed with one of two disorders listed in the DSM-IV, the diagnostic manual for mental disorders. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an extreme attention to limiting food and calorie intake. Individuals with bulimia nervosa experience a cyclical pattern of bingeing (consuming excessive amounts of food in a relatively short period of time) and purging (using self-induced vomiting or laxatives to eliminate food and calories before they can be absorbed into the body).

The study, led by Dr. Kaye Richards, was presented in September 2009 at the 5th International Adventure Therapy Conference at The University of Edinburgh.

The researchers employed various ways of working therapeutically outdoors with women who suffer from eating disorders. They assessed the psychological benefits realized by participating in an adventure therapy intervention and the extent to which the individuals improved mental health by participating.

The results of the study showed that the adventure therapy had a positive effect on women with eating disorders. After completing the intervention process most of the participants exhibited an increased motivation for change and a sustained rejection of negative behaviors related to body image and eating patterns. They also showed an increase in self-confidence and self-awareness.

The changes seen in the women after the intervention translated to fewer eating disordered symptoms as a direct result of participation in the adventure therapy session.

The findings were the first to exhibit evidence that adventure therapy may be an effective treatment option for individuals with eating disorders. Techniques used in adventure therapy may help those struggling with eating disorders recover more quickly and find an outlet for participating in a positive experience that can be replicated as they continue to implement healthy choices into their lives.

The Ranch in Tennessee is an example of an eating disorder treatment program with adventure therapy.
 

Tags: adventure therapy