Getting Specialized Help for Eating Disorders

If you’re one of the 30 million Americans who face an eating disorder at some point in their lives, help is available and recovery is possible. Eating disorders take a huge toll on you, both mentally and physically. But with the right support and a dedication to change, you can rebuild your relationship with food, your body, and yourself. ​​

Here’s some guidance to help as you start your search to find the right eating disorder treatment for you. 

When to seek help for eating disorders

You may benefit from professional help if you:

• Avoid eating out of fear of gaining weight

• Feel out of control around food and binge eat

• Purge (make yourself throw up or use laxatives) after eating to avoid weight gain

• Constantly think about your weight or body image

• Hide your eating habits or lie about them 

• Use food (or food restriction) as a way to manage difficult emotions 

Even if you don’t meet the full criteria for a diagnosis, disordered eating can still impact your physical and emotional health. You deserve support regardless of severity of symptoms.

What eating disorder treatment is like 

Eating disorder recovery usually requires a holistic approach, incorporating a number of therapeutic approaches working together. This may include:

• Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, AKA talk therapy, is a crucial aspect of treatment. A therapist can help you address underlying mental health concerns, address negative thought patterns and behaviors surrounding food, and improve your self-esteem. Some common therapy modalities include:

• Enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E)

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Family-based treatment (FBT)

• Nutritional counseling. Medical nutrition therapy or nutritional counseling from a registered dietitian is an important part of treatment. A dietitian (preferably a certified eating disorder registered dietitian or CEDRD) can help you develop a healthier relationship with food and help you with meal planning.

• Psychiatric medication. Although medications can’t cure eating disorders, there are a couple of FDA-approved options to treat bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders. Additionally, if you have an underlying mental health condition that contributes to your eating disorder, like an anxiety disorder or mood disorder, treating that condition can help reduce overall symptoms.

• Medical treatment. If your eating disorder is severe and you have developed health complications, you might need medical treatment to help get you stabilized. Once your vitals are more stable, you can focus on getting the mental health care you need. Some health problems caused by eating disorders may require ongoing monitoring, so make sure to follow your doctor's instructions. 

Note: When seeking treatment, you may want to check in with your health insurance (if you have it) to check what they cover. They may need to deem treatment as “medically necessary,” and different insurance companies may have different medical necessity guidelines. This can make a massive difference in the out-of-pocket costs you can expect for care.

Choosing your level of care

When seeking treatment, there are different levels of care to choose from. The right type of care depends on the severity of your eating disorder, your medical stability, and how much support you need to recover. Providers such as therapists or doctors can assess your personal situation and guide you toward the right option.

These levels of care include:

• Outpatient. Typically once weekly sessions with a therapist. Best for mild to moderate eating disorders.

• Intensive outpatient program (IOP). Several hours of treatment, a few days a week. Consists of both individual therapy and group sessions. 

• Partial hospitalization program (PHP). A more structured treatment program that’s a step up from an IOP. Typically five days a week for several hours are required at a hospital or clinic.

• Residential treatment. Longer-term 24/7 care and monitoring focused on long-term recovery. Generally for people who are medically stable, but require the most intensive care if their symptoms aren’t managed through an outpatient program.

• Inpatient. 24/7 care in a hospital, when someone needs medical stabilization in the case of a severe eating disorder and/or an acute mental health crisis, like suicidal ideation. The focus is usually more on getting the patient stable rather than long-term recovery.

Making treatment work for you

Therapy sessions are a key part of eating disorder recovery, but healing happens outside of sessions, too. Practicing new skills you’ve learned, following your treatment plan, and showing yourself compassion along the way can help support your progress, no matter where you are in your journey.

Here are some tips to foster a lasting recovery:

• Be honest with your care team. Even when it’s hard or you feel shame, it’s important to be open and honest with your providers. This will help them best support you and get you on track to feeling better.   

• Be patient with yourself. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight. Healing from an eating disorder takes time and dedication, so be patient and kind to yourself during your treatment. 

• Lean on loved ones. Social support outside of therapy is also key to recovery. Having loved ones to rely on can keep you motivated and supported when times are tough.

• Celebrate your progress. The recovery process is something to be proud of. Even if your progress is slow, forward is forward. Small wins should be celebrated and serve as motivation to reach more and more goals. 
  
  

Ready to start your recovery journey? 

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