**5. Internet and treatment (e-mail, text messaging, social networking sites)**

Technology has advanced and has allowed for therapeutic interventions to be monitored and tracked at increasing rates. The use of email, text and instant messaging, and social networking sites are changing the way that individuals can communicate with their psychologist, update progress on homework assignments, and receive helpful information between office visits. The internet is reportedly easy to use, readily accessible, convenient, and efficient (Bauer, Golkaramnay, & Kordy, 2005; Robinson & Serfaty, 2003); and is considered an alternative to face-to-face treatment with a therapist. Such use of technology has been shown to be effective particularly with weight loss strategies, self-esteem enhancement, and challenges to cognitive distortions (Nakagawa et al., 2010, Osgood-Hynes et al., 1998; Newman, Consoli, & Taylor, 1999). With CBT-E, for example, ongoing selfmonitoring and the successful completion of homework tasks are of fundamental importance, thus use of technology can assist in the therapeutic process.

Using the internet as a component to treatment can offer additional support as well as encouragement for successfully completing treatment protocols. Previous research has investigated e-mail therapy in Bulimia Nervosa patients, and found that e-mail therapy

Personality disorders are difficult to identify in individuals with eating disorders because many features of personality disorders are directly affected by the presence of the eating disorder (Fairburn, 2008). Borderline personality disorder, for example, is a personality disorder that is marked by erratic or odd behaviors. Borderline personality disorder has a higher prevalence rate in females, and is considered to be marked by emotional difficulties, instability in relationships, fear of abandonment, and unpredictable emotional reactions. Specific psychopathological tendencies may accentuate specific components of eating disturbances – impulsivity driving high-frequency purging, compulsivity accentuating relentless dieting and pursuit of thinness, narcissism fueling overinvestments in achieving

Personality disorder diagnoses are commonly given to individuals with eating disorders, thus when considering collegiate student athletes, two traits in particular—perfectionism and low self-esteem are evident, however, both are typically present before the eating disorder began (Fairburn, 2008). Additionally, it may be speculated that individuals who are perfectionist, independent, persistent, achievement oriented, and tolerant of pain and discomfort and who have high self-expectations yet low self-esteem are more susceptible to the development of disordered eating (Garfinkel, Garner, & Goldbloom, 1987). These personality traits have been shown to be the key to success in sports, which may help clarify

the increased risk of eating disorders among athletes (Garner, Rosen, & Barry, 1998).

There is increased interest in upgrading classic psychotherapeutic interventions with the fast-paced technological era. Interventions for eating disorders have been identified as a potential area that can be enhanced by utilizing technology as additional tools. Research is beginning to focus on studying the impact and effectiveness of using technology for adjuncts to treatment. Advances in treatment include the use of the internet, email, text

**5. Internet and treatment (e-mail, text messaging, social networking sites)** 

importance, thus use of technology can assist in the therapeutic process.

Technology has advanced and has allowed for therapeutic interventions to be monitored and tracked at increasing rates. The use of email, text and instant messaging, and social networking sites are changing the way that individuals can communicate with their psychologist, update progress on homework assignments, and receive helpful information between office visits. The internet is reportedly easy to use, readily accessible, convenient, and efficient (Bauer, Golkaramnay, & Kordy, 2005; Robinson & Serfaty, 2003); and is considered an alternative to face-to-face treatment with a therapist. Such use of technology has been shown to be effective particularly with weight loss strategies, self-esteem enhancement, and challenges to cognitive distortions (Nakagawa et al., 2010, Osgood-Hynes et al., 1998; Newman, Consoli, & Taylor, 1999). With CBT-E, for example, ongoing selfmonitoring and the successful completion of homework tasks are of fundamental

Using the internet as a component to treatment can offer additional support as well as encouragement for successfully completing treatment protocols. Previous research has investigated e-mail therapy in Bulimia Nervosa patients, and found that e-mail therapy

bodily (and other forms of) perfection (Steiger & Israel, 2010).

**3.3.3 Personality disorders** 

**4. Future directions** 

messaging, and social networking sites.

helped to engage individuals in treatment who would otherwise have been unlikely to ask for help through more traditional therapy (Robinson & Serfaty, 2003). It is common that most cases of Bulimia Nervosa in the community are unknown to their general practitioners (van Hoeken, Lucas, & Hoek, 1998) and receive no treatment (Fairburn et al., 1996).

It is known that many ethical and practical questions have been asked in relation to the delivery of this therapy; however it is not recommended for all patients. This type of therapy may work for those that may not have access for a specialist in the eating disorder field or for patients who wish to receive individual therapy in a more anonymous setting. This new method of treatment delivery may have many advantages over the face-to-face methods; such advantages are related to increasing empowerment, accountability, affordability, convenience and privacy (Fingeld, 1999). Additionally, there are some benefits for the clinician as well. Robinson and Serfaty (2003) stated that E-therapy is a strategy that can be used to identify therapist competence by providing a method to monitor general competency and adherence to a specific therapeutic model.

Social networking sites (e.g., Facebook) are starting to be utilized for clients to interact with fellow treatment members, clinicians, and to access resources. These sites have tremendous potential to further aid the therapeutic process over time. As a best practice and to maintain appropriate ethical standards for clinicians, these new forms of therapeutic strategies (i.e., Etherapy, text messaging) are best utilized in conjunction with traditional therapeutic approaches. Specific strategies to ensure confidentiality are essential, such as encryption software on the clinician's computer, password protections on mobile devices, and address books privacy protected.
