Explanations of the Options for Eating Disorders Treatment

Since eating the causes of eating disorders are multifaceted, eating disorders treatment must also address the various aspects of the difficulties. The reasons people develop eating disorders have to do with their biological composition, their psychological framework as well as their social and cultural environments.

In order for eating disorder treatment to be effective, it is important that it focus on the symptoms, as well as psychological, biological, and social influences that contribute to the eating disorder.

Eating Disorders Treatment Options

There are seven types of treatment options. Eating disorders treatment may involve only one of these choices or a combination, depending on the individual and the severity of symptoms. The willingness of yourself or your loved one may dictate the type of treatment and compliance with the treatment plan.

1. Individual Psychotherapy

Individual and group therapy can help you or your loved one explore the issues underlying eating disorders. People with eating disorders often have difficulties knowing what they are feeling and how to cope with various emotions. Often restricting food or overeating can distract individuals from emotional pain.

2. Group Psychotherapy

Another eating disorders treatment involves group psychotherapy. An eating disorder group can help you or your loved one feel less alone and ashamed about your problem.

Group therapy can provide a safe environment to share experiences, encouragement, and coping strategies with others.

One of the negative aspects that can result from group therapy is that individuals can learn new strategies to further their eating disorders. Prior to attending group, it might be important to weigh the possible risks against the benefits.

3. Intensive Outpatient Programs

Generally, an eating disorder intensive outpatient treatment program meets for a half a day 3-4 times a week. Programs can consist of nutrition counseling, group and/or individual psychotherapy as well as management of medications.

This level of care is ideal for individuals who need intense help but are not willing to be in an inpatient setting or people wanting a powerful treatment alternative that would allow you to spend nights and weekends with your family and friends.

Additionally, if you have been in an inpatient program you and your treatment providers may feel you are not ready to return home only to go to outpatient psychotherapy. Intensive outpatient therapy is a good step in-between inpatient and outpatient.

4. Residential Treatment

You probably need to be monitored 24 hours a day if your eating disorder has gotten extremely out of control and problems with your health are beginning to arise.

Residential treatment is less restrictive than hospitalization. It can help when the symptoms have become excessively out of control that your health and or life compromised.

This type of eating disorders treatment usually involves, group psychotherapy, nutrition counseling, monitored eating situations and care providers to help 24 hours a day. This type of inpatient treatment is only appropriate if you are medically stable and do not require psychiatric hospitalization.

5. Medical Hospitalization

Hospitalization becomes necessary when an eating disorder becomes so severe that you become medically unstable. Some of the medical symptoms that can warrant hospitalization include many binge-purges cycles a day, weight loss of 25 %of normal weight for height, dehydration, low blood pressure, and irregular heart beat among other severe symptoms related to eating disorders.

6. Psychiatric Hospitalization

Once you are medically stable, psychiatric hospitalization may be necessary to keep you safe from harming yourself. This would be essential if the eating disorder behaviors continue to put you at risk for severe health problems or possibly death.

In addition, often people who suffer with severe eating disorders also develop painful depression with acute suicidal thoughts and a plan of action. If this is the case, you may need to be closely supervised regarding your protection and medication management for your symptoms.

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