Recovery

While it is often a long and difficult process, eating disorders are generally treatable. Depending on the severity of the disturbance and the physical health of the child or adolescent, an eating disorder may be treated in either an outpatient setting consisting of individual, family and/or group therapy, or, in more extreme cases, in an inpatient or hospital setting.

Individual counseling – Individual counseling usually takes place in a therapist’s office for 45-50 minutes, 1 to 3 times per week. It is critical to choose a therapist who has experience working with both children and adolescents, as well as eating disorders. Treatment philosophies will usually take one of three approaches, or, quite often, some combination of them.

Cognitive Behavioral – Cognitive behavioral therapy is a combination of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. Cognitive therapy deals primarily with identifying and changing problematic or distorted thoughts and beliefs, such as distorted body images and over emphasis on the importance of thinness. Behavior therapy works to change maladaptive behaviors such as binge eating.

Psychodynamic– The goal of a psychodynamic approach is to help the adolescent come to understand the connections between her past, her personal relationships, her current circumstances and the eating disorder. Psychodynamic theory holds that eating disorders may develop as a way of protecting one’s self from anger, frustration and pain one may experience in his or her life.

Disease/Addiction – This model views eating disorders as an addiction or disease similar to alcoholism and is modeled after the Alcoholics Anonymous program.

Family counseling – Family therapy not only benefits the person with an eating disorder, but the other family members as well. Living with a person with an eating disorder can be difficult for all involved. Good family therapy will address the concerns and problems of all the family members as well as teach the family how to assist in the healing of the family member with an eating disorder.

Group therapy – Group therapy may be effective for some, but harmful for others. Some people with an eating disorder are too withdrawn or anxious to effectively interact in a group setting. Others may benefit greatly from the support and acceptance they receive from other group members. It is critical that a group dedicated to the treatment of eating disorders be run by a qualified professional who can gauge individual members’ reactions to the group experience.

The Team Approach – For long-term treatment of, and recovery from, an eating disorder a multidisciplinary team approach with consistent counseling and support is essential. The team may consist of a physician, dietitians, therapists, and/or nurses. All of the individuals on the team should be specifically skilled in treating eating disorders.

Medication – Medications may be used to treat a number of aspects of eating disorders including:
Treatment of depression and/or anxiety that may co-exist with the eating disorder
Restoration of hormonal balance and bone density
Encouragement of weight gain or loss by inducing or reducing hunger
Normalization of thinking process

Hospitalization – People who suffer from extreme anorexia are most often admitted to a hospital for an extended period of time so they can be stabilized and treated for medical complications. People with bulimia are not usually admitted to a hospital unless their behaviors have developed into anorexia, they need medication to help them withdraw from purging, or they have developed major depression.

Weight Gain – The most immediate goal in the treatment of an anorexic individual is often weight gain. A physician should strictly set the rate of weight gain, but the usual goal is 1 to 2 pounds per week. Initially the person is given 1,500 calories per day and eventually it may go as high as 3,500 calories per day. Individuals may require intravenous feeding if the amount of weight loss has become life threatening and he or she is still unwilling to consume adequate amounts of food.

Nutritional Therapy – A dietitian is often consulted to develop a strategy for planning meals and educate both the patient and the parents.

Just any eating disorder therapist won't do. The easiest and most comprehensive search for eating disorder treatment on the Internet (treatment & therapy information) Finding a therapist 

Everything you need to know about therapy Psychology Today 

Find the best drug rehabilitation treatment centers, psychologist, therapists, and eating disorder treatment centers More 

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); provides facts about eating disorders and the search for solutions NIMH

Sixteen-week program that combines telephone and online counseling and support for those with eating disorders Mirasol

Learn all about eating disorder information and self-help resources Mental Help

Resources providing more help with eating disorders, from psychologists and other sources More

University Counseling Services More 

For a referral to the nearest therapist specializing in eating disorders, contact:

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
P.O. Box 7
Highland Park, IL 60035
Hotline: 1-847-831-3438  http://www.anad.org/site/anadweb

National Eating Disorders Association
Informational and Referral Program
603 Stewart Street, Suite 803
Seattle, WA 98101
1-800-931-2237 http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
 

Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc.
603 Stewart Street, Suite 803
Seattle, WA 98101
A nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the awareness and prevention of eating disorders through education and community activism. Call (800) 931-2237 or (206) 382-3587 for information.