Treatment of Eating Disorders
From the National Eating Disorders Association
- Eating disorders are serious health conditions that can be both physically and emotionally destructive.
- People with eating disorders need to seek professional help.
- Early diagnosis and intervention significantly enhance recovery.
- If not identified or treated in their early stages, eating disorders can become chronic, debilitating, and even life-threatening conditions.
Treatment is available. Recovery is possible.
What Does Treatment Involve?
The most effective and long-lasting treatment for an eating disorder is some form of psychotherapy or psychological counseling, coupled with careful attention to medical and nutritional needs. Ideally, this treatment should be tailored to the individual and will vary according to both the severity of the disorder and the patient's particular problems, needs, and strengths.
Psychological counseling must address both the eating disordered symptoms and the underlying psychological, interpersonal, and cultural forces that contributed to the eating disorder.
- The individual needs to learn how to live peacefully and healthfully with food and with themselves.
- Typically care is provided by a licensed health professional, including but not limited to a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, nutritionist, and/or medical doctor.
- Care should be coordinated and provided by a health professional with expertise and experience in dealing with eating disorders.
Many people with eating disorders respond to outpatient therapy, including individual, group, or family therapy and medical management by their primary care provider. Support groups, nutritional counseling, and psychiatric medications under careful medical supervision have also proven helpful for some individuals.
Hospital Based Care (including inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and/or residential care in an eating disorders specialty unit or facility) is necessary when an eating disorder has led to physical problems that may be life-threatening, or when it is associated with severe psychological or behavioral problems. The exact treatment needs of each individual will vary. It is important for individuals struggling with an eating disorder to find a health professional they trust to help coordinate and oversee their care.
Helpful Questions when Considering Treatment Options
Step 1:
There are many differing approaches to the treatment of eating disorders. No one approach is considered superior for everyone, however, it is important to find an option that is most effective for your needs. The following is a list of questions you might want to ask when contacting eating disorder support services. These questions apply to an individual therapist, treatment facility, other eating disorder support services, or any combination of treatment options.
- How long have you been treating eating disorders?
- How are you licensed? What are your training credentials?
- What is your treatment style?
Please note that there are many different types of treatment styles available. Different approaches to treatment may be more or less appropriate for you dependent upon your individual situation and needs.
- What kind of evaluation process will be used in recommending a treatment plan?
- What kind of medical information do you need? Will I need a medical evaluation before entering the program?
- What is your appointment availability? Do you offer after-work or early morning appointments? How long do the appointments last? How often will we meet?
- How long will the treatment process take? When will we know it's time to stop treatment?
- Are you reimbursable by my insurance? What if I don't have insurance or mental health benefits under my health care plan?
It is important for you to research your insurance coverage policy and what treatment alternatives are available in order for you and your treatment provider to design a treatment plan that suits your coverage.
Ask the facility to send information brochures, treatment plans, treatment prices, etc. The more information the facility is able to send in writing, the better informed you will be.
With a careful search, the provider you select will be helpful. But, if the first time you meet with him or her is awkward, don't be discouraged. The first few appointments with any treatment provider are often challenging. It takes time to build up trust in someone with whom you are sharing highly personal information. If you continue to feel that you need a different therapeutic environment, you may need to consider other providers.
Remember: Treatment is available. Recovery is possible!!
Questions to Ask Your Treatment Provider
Step 2
Now that you have chosen a treatment provider, here are some helpful questions that you might want to consider asking in your first meeting. Remember that at any time during treatment, you can raise questions and consult your treatment provider regarding areas of concern.
- What is the diagnosis?
- What treatment plan do you recommend?
- Will you or someone else conduct the treatment?
- If someone else, does that person work for you or would this be a referral?
- Will you supervise the treatment?
- What are the alternative treatments?
- What are the benefits and the risks associated with the recommended treatment?
- With the alternative treatments?
- What role will family members or friends play in treatment?
Additional Resources
- www.edap.org Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention sponsors prevention programs, treatment resources, advocacy, referral list.
- www.aedweb.org The Academy for Eating Disorders is a professional organization with a membership directory of eating disorders specialists.
- www.mentalhealthscreening.org Screening for Mental Health, Inc. sponsors a National Eating Disorders Screening Program
- www.something-fishy.org Something-Fishy provides information about eating disorders, their causes and complications.
For more information, contact Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc. at 603 Stewart St., Suite 803, Seattle, WA 98101, 1-800-931-2237. www.nationaleatingdisorders.org copyright 2000 EDAP.
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