What does PTMD mean in PSYCHIATRY

Post Traumatic Meal Disorder (PTMD) is an eating disorder in which a person's relationship with food changes after experiencing trauma or stressful events. It can manifest in an inability to eat regularly or binging on food as a way of coping with negative emotions.

The symptoms of PTMD vary from person to person but may include unintended weight gain or loss, lack of appetite, constant feelings of guilt and shame related to eating habits, avoiding certain kinds of food, preoccupation with getting ready for meals and preparing them, frequent trips to the kitchen and binging on specific items repetitively.

Although anyone who has experienced trauma may be at risk for developing PTMD, certain groups are more prone to developing this disorder than others. These groups include individuals who have gone through sexual assault, war veterans returning from combat zones, survivors of natural disasters and those who have been victims of physical violence.

Treatment for Post Traumatic Meal Disorder requires both medical supervision and therapy interventions designed to teach people how to cope with their triggers and learn new healthy ways of interacting with food. Common therapies employed in treatment include Cognitive Therapy techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), art/eating disorder therapies such as Expressive Art Therapy (EAT), nutrition education, yoga/exercise therapy, mindfulness meditation/relaxation techniques, nutrition counseling/coaching services and support groups aimed at helping sufferers understand their triggers better and make healthier lifestyle choices in the long run.

If untreated, PTMD can lead to serious health issues like metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular problems due to excess weight gain caused by bingeing on unhealthy foods while trying to cope with the anxiety associated with trauma-related memories or stressors. In addition PTMD also greatly affects psychological well-being by leading to depression and anxiety disorders due to guilt/shame over eating behaviors along with social isolation due poorBody Image Issues related to either being underweight or overweight.