Eating Disorder Treatments

From LoveToKnow Diet

Eating disorders are difficult to treat because they are pathological responses to food, but there are several effective eating disorder treatments. Retraining the instincts, and restoring balance and healthful attitudes towards food takes patience.

Hospitalization

When eating disorders are not detected and treated early, severe health crises can arise. Sadly, most anorexics are admitted to the hospital for heart or kidney problems before they are "caught" and influenced to change. In the hospital, not only will anorexics be given proper alimentation (by tube if they refuse to eat by mouth), but a barrage of tests will be done to assess the damage that has been done to the body. Thyroid function and electrolyte balance will be checked, along with liver, kidney, and pancreatic function. An electrocardiogram will typically be done to check for heart muscle damage. Other tests may be performed, depending on the symptoms presented.

Medical Eating Disorder Treatments

While anorexia is usually treated on an in-patient basis, bulimia and binge-eating may be treated on an out-patient basis if the victim is willing to cooperate with the treatment. As in hospitalization, the physician will order a variety of tests to pinpoint areas where the individual's health has been compromised. If a patient has developed kidney or liver problems, or (as is the case with many binge-eaters) Type II diabetes, medical treatment may be a necessary adjunct to the standard eating disorder treatment of intense counseling.

Individual Psychotherapy

It is crucial for victims of this serious disease to receive individual counseling as part of the eating disorder treatment plan to pinpoint the causes of the disorder and learn to deal with them in a non-self-punishing way. Psychotherapy can help victims understand their obsession with food, overcome poor coping habits, and develop more healthy responses to stressors.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

This type of therapy, in which patients take notes on their own thoughts and behaviours, helps them identify triggers and eating patterns. It is a useful technique for regulating behaviors toward normal responses, rather than relying on self-starvation or bingeing. This type of therapy is a vital part of eating disorder treatment and successful outcome.

Family Therapy

When treating a victim of an eating disorder, it is important to treat the entire family, as the eating disorder affects the entire family. Family therapy helps restore normal controls to family life, and may help uncover the roots of the eating disorder, which is beneficial for the victim's treatment.

Medications

In general, medications have not been particularly helpful in treating eating disorders, with the exception of anti-depressants, which may be used to help control self-condemnatory feelings that lead to depression -- a major cause of many eating problems.