How Eating Disorder Treatment Centers Can Help With Recovery
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can impact both physical and mental health. Since this type of condition can have severe impacts on overall well-being, inpatient treatment at a treatment center can sometimes be necessary for recovery. Here, we’ll explore what eating disorders are, which ones are most common, and the potential benefits of eating disorder treatment centers.
What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition. Due to the stigma surrounding mental illness and the numerous misconceptions surrounding eating disorders, many still hold the mistaken belief that eating disorders are a matter of choice or that they only affect eating patterns and physical health. In actuality, they are diagnosable psychiatric illnesses that affect both mental and physical health and require professional treatment to address. They’re not simply a matter of willpower, and they can be life-threatening if not treated.
Common types of eating disorders
Eating disorders usually involve regularly eating too much or not enough, typically as a result of body image issues and/or in an attempt to cope with difficult feelings. There are several types of eating disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The following are some of the most common:
Anorexia nervosa
More commonly referred to simply as anorexia, this is a mental health condition in which individuals eat far less than is required for well-being and normal physical functioning. Those with this illness often go to great lengths to maintain a low body weight, primarily through severely restricted eating, though they may also engage in compensatory methods such as excessive exercise and misusing laxatives.
Bulimia nervosa
Often referred to as bulimia, this condition entails binge eating for a period of time. Following these episodes, the individual will engage in compensatory attempts to purge all that was consumed via vomiting, laxatives, or excessive exercise to avoid weight gain.
Binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by regular overconsumption of food. Individuals with binge eating disorder do not purge after eating. Individuals with this illness often feel shame and embarrassment over the amount of food they consume, which can contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
Other eating disorders
Although not as common as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, another eating disorder that can severely affect one’s health is avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, commonly known as ARFID. This disorder is not linked to a negative self-image regarding one’s weight. Instead, ARFID is characterized by avoidance of certain foods due to fears of choking or sensory issues. There are also other types of eating disorders with serious symptoms that don’t precisely fit criteria for one of the above disorders.
What are the symptoms of an eating disorder?
There are a variety of symptoms of eating disorders depending on the condition. Getting familiar with them can help you recognize it if you experience them so you can seek help as soon as possible. Early intervention can help promote more positive outcomes.
Symptoms of anorexia nervosa often include heavily restricted food intake, emaciation, negative self-image regarding weight, and a serious fear of weight gain. Over time, this condition can lead to weakened bones, anemia, constipation, thinning hair, a drop in body temperature, lethargy, and even heart failure and brain damage over time.
In addition to regularly binging, often in secret, individuals with bulimia nervosa may show a variety of severe symptoms related to purging. For example, they may experience an inflamed and sore throat, weakened teeth, acid reflux, intestinal pain, dehydration, and increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Binge eating disorder often entails consuming excessive amounts of foods in short spans of time, potentially including behaviors such as eating when one is already full and eating in secret to hide one’s food consumption. Weight gain as a result of binging is common in individuals with binge eating disorder, and they may be at increased risk of weight-related conditions like type two diabetes and cardiac problems as a result.
How eating disorder treatment centers can help
Hospital day treatment programs often involve attending sessions that combine therapy with nutrition education to promote a healthier lifestyle and mindset. These are day-only programs in which individuals return home each night. In other cases, individuals might need to stay at a residential treatment center for a period of time. These centers typically employ various types of professionals that may help individuals on the road to recovery. They may offer services and forms of support such as:
- Individual psychiatric and therapeutic support
- Group therapy
- Nutrition education
- Guided activities like meditation or art therapy
Inpatient facilities for treating eating disorders can allow a person to receive intensive treatment from a variety of different types of healthcare professionals, all in one place. It can also connect them with peers facing similar challenges, which may be a valuable source of support.
Understanding eating disorder treatment plans
The right eating disorder treatment plan typically depends on the individual, the type of eating disorder they have, and the severity of their symptoms. Whether they have any co-occurring conditions—such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder—could also influence treatment. That’s why seeking professional support for signs of an eating disorder is usually required as a first step. A medical doctor, eating disorder specialist, therapist, and dietitian may all work together to devise a custom plan that’s appropriate for a given individual. This may occur within an eating disorder treatment center or in an outpatient capacity.
Finding an eating disorder treatment center near you
Most cities and medical centers have eating disorder treatment programs available. Consulting a licensed medical professional or registered dietitian is often a first step toward connecting with a variety of available resources. You can also use an online locator tool like the one on the National Eating Disorders Association website. When choosing a facility, it may be helpful to read reviews and research the treatment center’s philosophy to ensure it aligns with your needs.
How therapy can help
In addition to inpatient or outpatient treatment, ongoing talk therapy can be a crucial form of support for individuals with an eating disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common form of psychotherapy that may be used to address eating disorder symptoms.
CBT for eating disorders
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of talk therapy aimed at helping individuals learn to recognize and then replace distorted or unhelpful thoughts. Many distorted thoughts are at the root of eating disorders, such as those related to low self-esteem and poor self-image. Cognitive behavioral therapy may help provide relief for individuals experiencing such thoughts, potentially resulting in reduced symptoms.
Exploring online therapy as a treatment component
For those who aren’t able to add another in-person appointment to their schedule, online therapy can be a more convenient option. A platform like BetterHelp allows you to get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging from anywhere you have an internet connection. Research suggests that online therapy may offer similar benefits to in-person therapy in terms of symptom reduction for those with eating disorders.
Takeaway
What is the best therapy for eating disorders?
There are various types of talk therapy that may be used to treat individuals with eating disorders. Some examples include interpersonal psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and family-based treatment.
Where should I go if I have an eating disorder?
If you have an eating disorder, meeting with your doctor or an eating disorder specialist as soon as possible can be important. If you require medical stabilization or medical care, you might need to go to the emergency room or seek partial hospitalization. There are also inpatient eating disorder treatment options as well as outpatient programs. For ongoing support, individual therapy, family therapy, support groups, and nutritional counseling are common approaches. Meet with a doctor or eating disorder specialist for a personalized approach to treatment. You can also engage with resources from the National Eating Disorders Association for help deciding how to seek support.
What not to do when someone has an eating disorder?
When someone has an eating disorder, it's generally best to be compassionate and supportive rather than judgmental. You might also avoid commenting on their appearance or weight and instead focus on their non-physical qualities, interests, and goals.
When should you go inpatient for an eating disorder?
A doctor or eating disorder treatment team may be able to help you decide when you might benefit from pursuing inpatient treatment for eating disorder recovery. In general, it might be helpful when relationship difficulties at home make it hard to stick with outpatient treatment, ongoing medical care is needed, co-occurring disorders (such as depression, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorder, formerly “substance abuse”) are complicating treatment, or other treatment methods haven't been successful. Inpatient treatment programs can provide a safe environment for the whole person, which can help address any underlying issues like past trauma, provide specialized treatment and supervision, and help patients get in touch with their personal reasons for building a life worth living.
At what weight do you get hospitalized for anorexia?
The point at which a person may be hospitalized for anorexia can depend on many factors. A common benchmark is when a person's body weight falls below what is considered normal for the individual's age, sex assigned at birth, and height, or when they begin to experience medical complications as a result of their condition.
How long does the average eating disorder last?
The time that eating disorder recovery will take can vary by a significant amount from person to person. Factors that may affect recovery time could include the type of disorder a person is experiencing, whether they're living with any co-occurring disorders, the severity of their symptoms, and how soon after experiencing symptoms they were able to seek help. For some people, recovery can happen over the course of several months. For others, it can take years or even decades to achieve remission.
What medication is used for eating disorder treatment?
A doctor may sometimes recommend medication as one of the treatment options or components of treatment for people with eating disorders. For bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, antidepressants may be prescribed. Weight-loss medications may also be used for those with binge eating disorder to help control appetite. Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
What do hospitals do for eating disorders?
The goal of hospitalization for someone with an eating disorder is usually to stabilize their condition. After that point, a resident eating disorder specialist may recommend a full range of specialized treatment options for the individual to help promote their long-term recovery, such as residential care and ongoing support from a multidisciplinary team. They may also support the person in finding in-network providers like psychiatrists or nutrition counselors if they have insurance, places to engage in group sessions, and avenues for parents and other family members to get support related to the condition of their loved one.
How to treat eating disorders at home?
It's not always possible to treat an eating disorder from home. Some people may require hospitalization and/or residential care. In other cases, it is possible to engage in the recovery process using an outpatient program in combination with virtual care. Speak to your doctor or an eating disorder specialist or personalized treatment advice.
Do eating disorders get worse with age?
Adolescents and other young people are often affected by eating disorders. If their symptoms are not addressed, they are likely to persist and even worsen over time. Research suggests that seeking immediate intervention at the first sign of disordered eating behaviors may improve long-term outcomes.
- Previous Article
- Next Article