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Eating disorders can be incredibly isolating and lonely, characterized by social withdrawal and persistent shame. However, professional help for eating disorders is widely available in many different treatment settings and at various intensities and frequencies. Taking the first step can be challenging and scary, but nothing is more important than your health and well-being.
The first step in getting help for eating disorders and beginning your recovery journey is recognizing that you need help.1 Some people may be willing to see and accept the need for help, while others may take a bit longer before looking for care. Everyone is different; however, knowing the signs of an eating disorder can equip you with the knowledge you need to reach out for professional treatment.
Anorexia nervosa involves severely restricting your food intake. Common symptoms of anorexia nervosa can include:3
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by binge eating episodes followed by purging episodes, in which a person engages in compensatory behavior, such as self-induced vomiting, fasting, laxative use, or excessive exercise. Symptoms of bulimia nervosa may include:3
Binge eating disorder involves recurring episodes in which an individual eats a large amount of food in a short period of time, and they often report feeling out of control during this episode. Unlike bulimia, people with binge eating disorder don’t compensate for the episode by purging.
Symptoms of binge eating disorder may include:3
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If you are ready to seek help for an eating disorder but aren’t sure which program is right for you, you can receive an assessment from your physician or psychologist. Once they complete your evaluation, they can refer you to an appropriate treatment setting based on your needs.
Here are some things to look for in a treatment program for disordered eating behaviors:
The treatment team tailors your treatment plan to meet your specific needs, eating disorder behaviors, history, goals, and beyond. Research has suggested that an individualized approach to treating eating disorders is so important, as a review of the literature showed that no single treatment approach outperformed others.5 This highlights the need for personalized treatment planning, which takes a person’s unique needs into account.
A quality eating disorder treatment program will utilize evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).6
A treatment team should provide culturally-responsive and culturally-sensitive care that understands and respects the differences in patients’ beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences. Culturally-informed eating disorder treatment includes using culturally-sensitive interventions, addressing cultural barriers to treatment, becoming educated about working with ethnic and racial minorities, and using a culturally flexible diagnostic model.7
When comparing treatment facilities, make sure to check out if they are accredited by nationally recognized organizations, such as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
Browse the staff list and make sure that the treatment team has the appropriate credentials for care, such as MD, RN, PsyD, LPN, LMFT, LCSW, and more.
Research indicates that anywhere between 55 to 97% of those diagnosed with an eating disorder also receive a diagnosis for at least one more condition, such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorder.8 A quality program offers integrated, dual diagnosis care to fully address both conditions.
Because recovery is a lifelong process and requires ongoing support, your treatment team should work with you near the end of your program to create an aftercare plan tailored to your needs.
Many treatment centers acknowledge the financial burden of care and want to increase accessibility to their program; as such, they may offer flexible financing options.
Eating disorders don’t discriminate, and therefore, neither should treatment providers. Eating disorders affect people of all body types, ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, and socioeconomic statuses.
There is a preconception that the typical individual living with an eating disorder is a young, thin, heterosexual, young woman. This is a dangerous misconception. Research shows that those identifying as BIPOC (black, indigenous, or person of color) are less likely than their white counterparts to be asked by their doctor about disordered eating and only half as likely to receive a diagnosis or treatment for an eating disorder.9 Look for a treatment program that prioritizes inclusivity and practices anti-racism.
Because there are strong links between trauma and eating disorders, quality programs must use a trauma-informed approach, which understands how trauma has affected each individual’s prognosis, symptoms, and overall health.10
At an eating disorder treatment program, you will be surrounded by a compassionate and caring treatment team, which may include a combination of the following:11
When comparing eating disorder treatment programs and settings, you may want to turn to virtual options. At Within Health, we offer a revolutionized virtual treatment program with a high frequency of care comparable to partial hospitalization programs but allowing you to recover from wherever you feel most comfortable.
Through our treatment app, you have easy access to your entire dedicated care team, from registered dietitians and therapists to nurses and your Care Partner. And treatment is flexible, working around you and your schedule.
Much like in-person care, you attend a variety of treatment sessions, including:
You also receive after-hours support for those days that you need extra care and attention. And we understand how stressful it can be to meal plan and cook, so we send personalized meal kits directly to your home. And thanks to our numberless scales and blood pressure cuffs, we can provide remote medical monitoring to ensure your progress and safety.
Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.
Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.
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