An eating disorder has many different components that require both psycho-social and medical treatments. Anorexia, binge eating, and bulimia lead to unhealthy and sometimes dangerous eating patterns that can lead to severe illness. In some cases, eating disorders may lead to life-threatening circumstances. If you or someone you love has an eating disorder, make an appointment with a physician who can recommend effective treatment options for eating disorders. Here are some inpatient and outpatient services that an eating disorder treatment center can provide.
Inpatient Treatment Options
Certain people need to be hospitalized or seek treatment in an inpatient eating disorder center to treat their conditions. There, patients have constant access to healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, and teachers, who closely supervise the patients.
Eating disorder patients admitted to inpatient facilities are involved in psychotherapy support groups and get periodic visits from family members, daily visits from physicians, supervision during mealtime, and are involved in recreational programs such as exercise sessions, music and art therapy, and even fun day trips.
Many inpatient eating disorder facilities offer pet therapy to their patients. Exposure to animals such as dogs and cats help relieve stress, improve symptoms of depression, and enhance coping skills. If patients have other health conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, renal problems, or liver disorders, these diseases will also be monitored and treated as necessary during an inpatient stay at the hospital or eating disorder clinic. Preexisting conditions can quickly worsen if proper nutrition is not maintained.
Outpatient Treatment Options
Outpatient treatment programs also provide various programs for those with eating disorders. Patients enrolled in outpatient programs will receive nutritional counseling, attend support groups with other patients and healthcare professionals, and will be involved in recreational programs. Also, if patients are receiving medications to manage their eating disorders, a nurse, pharmacist, or physician will monitor the effects of the medications.
Patients will also be supervised during mealtime and may be accompanied by a healthcare provider when taking walks or visiting the restroom. Patients who participate in outpatient treatment programs receive their treatment during the daytime hours and do not stay overnight at the facility.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. When treatment is implemented early on, you will be less likely to develop complications of eating disorders such as extreme weight loss, hair loss, low blood pressure, nutritional deficiencies, cardiovascular problems, and severe mood disorders.
