There's so much information available these days about different approaches to treatment for eating disorders that it can be easy to get confused and feel overwhelmed about having to make a choice. While it is fair to say that every eating disorder unit is different there are also commonalities in the approaches to treatment. Below is a list of five components and their benefits to patients.
- meal plan
- supervision times
- diary sessions
- group therapy
- art therapy
Meal Plan: Eating Right for Anorexia Recovery
The meal plan basically consists of a healthy, balanced, high calorie intake - usually in the region of around 3,000 calories to gain weight and about 2,250-2,500 for weight maintenance.
A positive about residential treatment is you don't have to sit at home alone faced with what is often a distressing, difficult task in the early days. The sense of camaraderie provides much needed support and there is often a feeling of going through the hard times together as group.
Supervision Times in Eating Disorder Recovery
Supervision times are usually for an hour after breakfast, lunch and dinner, where patients are required to sit together (often in a communal lounge) to ensure no one purges food through vomiting or excessive exercise.
For many patients this can feel like a worst nightmare kind of scenario as cycles of purging are inevitably very hard to break. The hour can seem a ridiculously long time when alone but chatting with others in exactly the same predicament is a real help.
Diary Sessions: Writing for Eating Disorder Recovery
Often in eating disorder units, patients are expected to keep a daily diary. The knowledge that one is required to read out their diary each day to the other members of the group and therapists/treatment staff certainly helps get one's mind focused on the task!
The very act of writing fears, achievements, goals and concerns down on a daily basis can be cathartic in itself. Reading your personal thoughts out loud, though scary at first, makes you feel closer to those in your group. Likewise, listening to others struggles and fears helps remind us that no-one is sailing through and that we all have similar feelings and difficulties in common.
Group Therapy: Talking for Anorexia Recovery
While the benefits of 1-2-1 individual therapy sessions must not be forgotten, there are clear benefits from having group therapy sessions. Outside of the EDU, battling anorexia alone, is an extremely lonely, isolating experience. In contrast to this, group therapy helps sufferers see themselves in others sharing and aids the recovery process.
Art Therapy: Getting Creative for Anorexia Recovery
Art therapy provides a great opportunity to socialise as a group whilst engaging in a useful means of distraction. Glass painting and simply doodling and drawing pictures give the mind a much needed break from all the other, more intense aspects of intensive treatment. New craft skills and activities can then be continued following discharge as both distraction and relaxation are a valuable tool for healthy recovery.
To conclude, it is fair to say that there are many benefits and positive aspects to the intensive approach to treating eating disorders. While obviously residential treatment is not suitable or indeed an option for many for those with severe, enduring, treatment-resistant eating disorders it can indeed be life-saving.
The group approach to therapy can also be experienced/continued through attending support groups such as Overeaters Anonymous and Eating Disorders Anonymous.
Sources:
Waller et al. CBT for Eating Disorders Cambridge University Press 2007
Abraham, S. & Llewellyn-Jones,D. Eating Disorders: The Facts Oxford University Press 1997
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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