There are a wide variety of different treatment options and settings currently available which provide much needed help and support for those affected by eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Many factors will likely impact upon the type of treatment one is offered, such as location, finances and severity of illness. Three of the main eating disorder settings will now be explored with key areas to be examined listed below:
- Out-Patient treatment for anorexia recovery
- Day-Patient treatment for eating disorder recovery
- In-Patient treatment for anorexia recovery
Out-Patient Treatment for Anorexia Recovery
Out-patient treatment may be the first port of call for those suffering from eating disorders such as anorexia, providing the patient is not deemed to be high risk in terms of either physical or psychological complications. This approach will typically involve weekly therapy sessions, ideally with a therapist who is specially trained in eating disorders or experienced in this area. In addition to seeing a therapist, the individual is likely to be offered regular appointments with a nutritionist who will deal with the re-feeding and dietary psychoeducation while the therapist is helping with the psychological or emotional aspects associated with anorexia. Key strengths of this approach include that it is the least disruptive to a person's other commitments such as work or school and enables the patient to apply tools learned in therapy to daily life.
Day-Patient Treatment for Eating Disorder Recovery
Day-patient treatment is more intense than out-patient treatment as it usually requires the patient to attend an eating disorder clinic or day-hospital on a daily basis often from around 8am to 6pm in order to include breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner. This approach will typically involve a combination of group therapy sessions as well as individual therapy. One may also be given a timetable of different groups to attend which tackle specific issues relating to anorexia such as anxiety management, distraction skills, mindfulness and psychoeducation on a variety of different topics from health implications to laxative abuse or compulsive exercise. Key strengths of this approach include that it provides a daily structure, ample opportunity for sufferers to learn from other in group situations and a supportive environment for the weight restoration process.
In-Patient Treatment for Anorexia Recovery
In-patient care or residential treatment involve the patient being admitted either to a psychiatric ward or eating disorder clinic. 24-hour intensive care is provided by a whole team, including psychiatrists, therapists, nutritionists, clinical psychologists, doctors and nursing staff. As with day-patient care, the patient will usually attend various groups as well as learn key skills to manage eating disorder symptoms such as menu planning, forms of relaxation and distraction. Most specialist eating disorder units will also provide valuable support for carers and relatives in the form of a support group or within family therapy. This approach is life-saving in the case of sufferers who are severely underweight and/or feeling suicidal as a result of co-existing factors such as depression.
To conclude, it is important that one considers the different aspects of each approach and discusses treatment options with either a health professional, mentor or someone experienced in this area. While each setting has its own strengths and limitations the goal of achieving a healthy recovery remains the same.
Source:
Samelson, D. (2009) Feeding the Starving Mind Oakland: New Harbinger
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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