Approach
Here at EDEC we primarily use the biopsychosocial model when addressing unhealthy and compulsive exercise. The model focuses on treating the person as a whole instead of just the impairment.
The three parts of the model often interlink with one another. The three core components of the model are:
Biological
We always take into consideration biological factors that impact your relationship with exercise. This includes taking into account the link between exercise and neurodevelopmental diversity such as ADHD, ASD, sensory processing difficulties and genetic vulnerabilities. We also explore past and current physical health difficulties and its impact on exercise.
Psychological
Within this part of the model we explore in detail what psychological aspects led to the development and maintenance of your unhealthy relationship with exercise. We acknowledge there’s more than one reason why someone might develop unhealthy attitudes towards exercise and it’s not always in relation to just weight/shape concerns.
In terms of treatment for this section we use a primarily 'Dialectical Behavioural Therapy' and 'Cognitive Behavioural Therapy' based approach alongside graded return to exercise to help you understand, manage and change your relationship with exercise.
Social
In this part of the model we remain aware of sociocultural influences that have led to and/or maintained unhealthy relationships with exercise. This includes acknowledging your social identity, the 'sporty one' role within the family/social circles and the impact of culture on your relationship with exercise.