Eating disorders treatment

Treatment methods used for eating disorders

Just as there is no one factor that causes or results in an eating disorder, there is no one treatment protocol that is guaranteed to resolve an eating disorder once it has begun. Treating eating disorders is a complex process that can take several years, even a lifetime.
 

First step is acknowledgement

The first step toward treatment requires that the patient acknowledge that they have an eating disorder. This is often a difficult obstacle to overcome, as many people are reluctant to admit their condition or seek help.
Professional help and familial support is recommended for all patients with eating disorders.

Second step is breaking the cycle

The next step toward recovery will be breaking the cycle of addiction. Healthcare providers will work with patients to help end the cycle of binging and purging or starvation. This may require a combination of cognitive, group, individual and behavior modification therapy. One of the aims of therapy will be to uncover the emotional triggers that result in disordered eating patterns in patients to begin with.

Individual Therapy

Many patients benefit from one on one therapy with a qualified health professional. During these sessions psychologists, counselors or psychiatrists can work with a patient to help uncover the underlying emotional, social, cultural and environmental factors that might be influencing the behavior.
This is often a more comfortable route for patients that feel guilty or embarrassed about their condition, and may have trouble discussing their condition with others.

 
Group/Family Therapy

Group and family therapy can be very beneficial for patients. Group therapy in particularly allows patients to see that they are not alone, and that many people in fact are suffering much like they are. Patients suffering from an eating disorder are more able to form a sense of communal support and identify with other people who are battling with the same feelings and concerns in a group setting.

Family therapy also allows the family to get involved, and understand the person’s condition and any familial or cultural factors that might be contributing to the condition. Underlying emotional problems are more likely to be resolved with familiar support and understanding.

 
Behavior Modification

Behavior modification is an essential component of eating disorders treatment. Often therapists will work from a cognitive behavioral approach which is a treatment approach that focuses on helping patients breaking the connections between emotional factors or situations and their reactions, which in the case of an eating disordered patient is typically vomiting, purging or starving.

It teaches patients how to cope with feelings in ways other than via disordered eating, and teaches patients how their thinking patterns are contributing to their symptoms.

A behavior modification approach helps patients identify what is going on in their life that is making them feel anxious or depressed, or otherwise unsettled enough to engage in disordered behaviors.

Nutrition/Diet Rehabilitation

Patients undergoing treatment for eating disorders will often have to undergo dietary and nutrition rehabilitation. Oftentimes it helps if they work one on one with a nutritionist to establish a normal and healthy pattern of eating.

Most will embark on a diet that is low in sugar, processed foods, alcohol and caffeine. Avoidance of addictive substances or other substances that may further alter brain chemistry, and focusing on highly nutritious foods will help patients learn to eat healthily. Dieticians can work one on one with patients to help them see food as fuel and a source of energy.

Medication/Hospitalization

Severe forms of eating disorders may require hospitalization and medication. Medication may be used to treat underlying conditions including depression and anxiety.

There is some evidence to suggest that use of SSRI’s, serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, may assist patients with neuro-chemical imbalances resulting from eating disorders.

Hospitalization may be brief or extended, with the aim of restoring patient’s electrolyte balance, with hydrating patients and maintaining an adequate level of weight gain.

Support Groups

Overcoming an eating disorder is a complex process that can take time. Much like the addict, many patients with an eating disorder will often experience a relapse in their condition during the course of treatment.

Support groups, whether online or in person can help patients cope with the trials and tribulation of overcoming and eating disorder. They can also help patients work through complicated emotional factors that are contributing to their cycle of disordered eating.