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Diploma in Eating Disorders

Over the past few years, eating disorders have become more prevalent and are increasing at a significant rate. Some of the major issues such as chronic dieting, obsessive exercise, and weight preoccupation have become major concerns and their effective treatment has to take into account many different factors that are very complex. In addition to this, with more and more people facing difficulties in the area of eating disorders, the urgency to have a multi-dimensional approach to understand and treat them has become ever more important. In this context, our Diploma program in eating disorders is designed to provide you with knowledge about the skills required to effectively treat individuals who are struggling with anorexia, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other eating problems.

This six-month Diploma program will expose you to a wide range of theoretical models that address the types, causes and symptoms of eating disorders. In addition, the course will also show the different modalities of treatment, the impact of society with regard to eating disorders and the application of theory to practice. The course will be presented in jargon-free form, making it easily accessible to you and other participants who have an interest in the issue of eating disorders, or who have direct or indirect experience of working with, or living with eating disorders. The course is open to anybody who may find it of interest or value.

Learning Objectives

Our eating disorder Diploma program aims to provide you the necessary keys to understanding eating disorders. The course also aims to provide you a crucial understanding along with the proper way to approach the situation initially at the preventive stage as well as intervention levels if the problem has already manifested. Apart from this, this short-term Diploma course intends to give you the training that can enhance your competency in working with eating disorders or other eating problems.

Knowledge

By the end of this course students will have�

An understanding of the different types, theories and treatments of eating disorders
An understanding of the underlying problems which may lead to eating disorders.
A better understanding of how society influences and impacts our approaches to food and our body image.
A crucial understanding of the proper methods to be used to approach the situation initially at the preventive stage as well as intervention levels if the problem has already manifested.
ATraining based on the latest research that can enhance your competency in working with eating disorders or other eating problems.

Course Feature

The following are some of the vital features of our Diploma Program in Eating Disorders:

The course is divided into 6 units � each unit consists of reading material, followed up by two written assignments that you must complete and return to your tutor.
The assignments are straight-forward and relate directly to the reading material. They include short factual answers, personal responses/reactions to the reading material, self-development exercises, etc.
On an average the course will require 3 to 4 hours reading/study per week.
The assignments will be graded by your tutor and returned to you.
The course is designed to be flexible and so you may choose to return the assignments monthly, halfway through the course or all assignments together at the end of the course.

Course Outline

Unit I

Types of eating disorders

Definitions and concepts of eating disorders
Information about and facts about eating disorders
Obesity
Anorexia nervosa; Bulimia; Compulsive eating; Body dysmorphic disorder; Pica; Anorexia Athletica; Cyclic vomiting

Unit II

Theories of eating disorders

Predisposing Factors – Genetics, Personality, Biological factors, Biochemistry, Family links, Eating Disorders as an Addiction, The Social Context
Precipitating Factors – Stressors, Abuse, Growing up, Sexuality, Response to Crisis
Perpetuating Factors – Family Relationships, Psychological factors, Cognitive factors

Unit III

Treatments of eating disorders

Medical intervention; Prevention; Relapse; Recovery
The 12-step model
Counselling & Therapy
Self-esteem, Emotional needs, Control

Unit IV

Impact and influence of society

Approaches to food
Body image, Dieting
Media messages & culture
Gender & eating disorders

Unit V

Eating disorders within the family

Relationships and food
Family systems, Family dynamics
The difficulties of growing up, Transitions, Stress
Dependency and Co-dependency

Unit VI

Working with eating disorders – Skills and Attitudes

Counselling & helping skills & strategies
Helper qualities & attitudes
Caring for the carers

Note: The cost of the course is �595 and is payable on commencement. This cost covers administration, all reading/study material (there will be no need to buy any additional books) and a Diploma in Eating Disorders on successful completion of the course.

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