Eating disorders are serious illnesses that can have dangerous and sometimes fatal consequences if left untreated. Thankfully, many treatment options for eating disorders exist, including therapy, group support, nutritional counseling, and holistic treatments. Perhaps the most effective treatment for eating disorders, however, is residential treatment, as it combines many of the treatments listed above in a supportive environment with round-the-clock supervision and care. Here are six advantages of residential treatment for eating disorders over other viable treatment options.
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We’ve all heard about the “Freshman 15″ — those pesky pounds that seem to appear during the stressful first year of college. For some students, these extra pounds are eventually shed through normal exercise and healthy eating. For many others, however, this extra weight — whether it’s actually there or falsely perceived to be there — leads them to develop an eating disorder.
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Many people who suffer from eating disorders want to know if it’s possible to fully recover from an eating disorder. The short answer is yes, it is possible; but it is a process that requires a lot of patience, honesty, self-forgiveness and hard work to see it through. According to Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA) (www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org), the only way to live a happy life free of your eating disorder is to show up, do the work, tell the truth and let go of the outcomes. Here are some more suggestions from Eating Disorders Anonymous to help you on your journey to recovery (taken from the EDA publication: Suggestions for Recovery).
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An eating disorder support group is a powerful tool in the recovery process. Here you will find the skills and support you need to find the strength within to overcome your illness. You’ll be surrounded by people just like you, which provides a safe place to share your struggles and gain peer support. You’ll also be guided by a professional therapist, intern, recovered person, or loved-one of a person struggling with an eating disorder who can educate you on your illness and teach you the skills to cope with and overcome your eating disorder.
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According to the American Psychiatric Association, an eating disorder is a mental illness, not a lifestyle choice. What might start out as a preoccupation with food and weight is actually an attempt to control overwhelming feelings of low self-esteem, lack of control, loneliness, depression and anxiety. Interestingly, these are the same psychological symptoms of trauma and abuse.
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Eating disorders are very common among teens. Statistics show that 95 percent of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25, 50 percent of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as fat, and 80 percent of 13-year-olds have attempted to lose weight. Some other startling statistics on teens and eating disorders are:

(From the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)

•    Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness in adolescent females
•    Eating disorders in schools are almost as prevalent as alcohol and drug abuse: 9.8 percent of female students had problems with alcohol, 8 percent had problems with drugs, and 7.8 percent had problems with eating disorders
•    86 percent of people report their eating disorder started before the age of 20, 10 percent report it started at 10 years old and younger, 33 percent report it started between the ages of 11 and 15, and 43 percent report it started between the ages of 16 and 20

What causes eating disorders in teens?

There are many risk factors for teens and eating disorders, including gender, early puberty, family influences, sports, certain personalities, a history of sexual abuse, emotional disorders and dieting. As the above statistics show, many people develop eating disorders between the ages of 11 and 20 years old. This is a difficult time for many adolescents as they try to navigate puberty and their emotional and physical changes on top of the pressures they’re under from school and their peers. When you combine this with the pressure they receive from today’s media to be thin and beautiful, it’s easy to understand why teens can develop a negative self-image.

What are the signs of an eating disorder?

Many people who have eating disorders are in denial, and oftentimes their loved ones are in denial, too. Here are some common signs you should watch out for:

•    Dramatic weight loss (it’s important to note that not everyone with an eating disorder will appear gaunt or too thin, so don’t rely on this as the main symptom)
•    Refusal to eat, denying she’s hungry or making up excuses to eat
•    Frequent trips to the bathroom immediately following meals
•    Excessive exercise
•    Preoccupation with food
•    Obsessively counting calories and the fat content of food
•    Adopting rigid eating rituals, such as weighing food, chewing food a certain number of times, or spitting food out after chewing
•    Wearing baggy clothes to hide weight loss
•    Keeping a food diary
•    Mood swings
•    Depression
•    Insomnia or poor sleeping habits

What does an eating disorder do to the body?

Eating disorders are very harmful to the body and signs of this harm will eventually show. Some of the physical signs of an eating disorder are:

•    Dry skin
•    Brittle nails
•    Thinning hair that breaks or falls out
•    Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
•    Growth of fine body hair covering the entire body
•    Fatigue
•    Dizziness or fainting
•    Dehydration
•    Irregular heart rhythms
•    Low blood pressure
•    Organ damage
•    Bone loss
•    Constipation
•    Eroded tooth enamel
•    Tears in the esophagus
•    Stomach ulcers
•    Dehydration
•    Bloating
•    Fatigue
•    Dry skin
•    Irregular heartbeat
•    Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
•    Frequent sore throats and/or swollen glands
•    Bloodshot eyes or light bruising under the eyes
•    Sores or calluses on the hands’ knuckles

What should I do if I have an eating disorder or someone I know does?

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. In fact, up to 20 percent of people will die from complications or suicide if left untreated. If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder it’s important to reach out for help. Eating disorder programs can help teens treat the mental and emotional issues that caused them to develop an eating disorder and treat the physical issues their disorder has created.

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There are many factors that can cause a person to develop an eating disorder. Some people may develop eating disorders without any of these factors present, but typically the more risk factors you have, the greater likelihood you’ll have of developing an eating disorder.

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With so much information out there on eating disorders it can be easy to think you know all there is to know about what causes them and their symptoms. Unfortunately, this is a dangerous attitude to take as it can result in misdiagnosis or ignoring symptoms and prolonging treatment. To help you distinguish between fact and fiction, here are the most common myths about eating disorders.

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Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. Some are common and well-known, and others are rarely talked about or diagnosed. If you’re wondering what types of eating disorders exist, look no further. Here are some of the most common types of eating disorders in alphabetical order.

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Athletes are often viewed as extremely strong and fit individuals — the ultimate picture of health. The sad truth is, though, that many are hurting their bodies through anorexia and bulimia in order to shed weight and improve their performance. Athletes and eating disorders are a dangerous combination that is often overlooked or swept under the rug. If left untreated, however, it’s a dangerous combination that can lead to serious health consequences down the road.

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia among athletes is more common than most people think. According to several studies of college athletes, nearly one in three female athletes has some type of eating disorder. Female athletes participating in sports in which they’re judged on how their body looks or in which they wear revealing uniforms are more at risk, including those who participate in dance, cheerleading, gymnastics and figure skating. But females aren’t the only ones at risk; many male athletes also suffer from eating disorders. Regardless of sex, athletes who participate in sports that emphasize appearance or weight or that focus on the individual rather than the team are more likely to engage in risky behavior. These sports include diving, swimming, bodybuilding, running and track and field. Perhaps the most common sport in which athletes engage in anorexia or bulimia, but one that is often overlooked, is wrestling. Wrestlers are constantly shedding and gaining pounds in order to fit within a certain weight class. Often these practices include severe caloric reduction and even purging of food, which can lead to severe dehydration and other complications. In 1997, the extreme and unsafe methods of weight reduction among wrestlers gained national attention when three college wrestlers died within 32 days of one another due to cardiorespiratory death after they tried to make weight for a competition.

While the pressure to lose weight is many times a personal conflict, athletes are often encouraged by their coaches to start dieting in order to enhance their performance. Losing weight as a runner, for example, might make the athlete lighter and faster, while a gymnast could improve her scores by presenting a more lean and toned physique. Weight loss can initially improve performance, but if taken too far or for long periods of time it can actually hinder performance. Athletes with eating disorders can suffer from fatigue, weakness, stress fractures and depleted muscles, and often have a higher risk of medical complications because they are putting their body through extremely strenuous activity. This can lead to more serious complications, such as electrolyte imbalances, cardiac arrhythmias and even death. One of the most famous athletes to die from an eating disorder was Christy Henrich, a world-class gymnast in the late ’80s who was told that in order to make the 1988 Olympic team she would have to lose weight. At 4′10″ and already only 90 pounds, Henrich began a long battle with anorexia that ultimately led to her death in 1994 due to multiple organ failure. She only weighed 60 pounds at the time of her death.

Luckily, there are many warning signs that an athlete is suffering from an eating disorder. In addition to the usual symptoms of extreme dieting, excessive weight loss, chronic fatigue and light-headedness, athletes with eating disorders will often withdraw from teammates, exercise excessively outside of normal practice time and may be unable to complete normal workouts due to fatigue or weakness. Coaches and trainers can play a pivotal role in preventing athletes and eating disorders by educating themselves and their athletes on the warning signs and dangers of eating disorders and how proper nutrition is key to a strong body.

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Eating Disorders & Dieting

Claiming to be “on a diet” is a popular excuse given to cover up the presence of an eating disorder. In some cases, an eating disorder may develop as a result of unhealthy dieting. Although the diet started out with healthy motives, it eventually turned into a form of extreme dieting. Finish reading this article »

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Dangers of using Diet Pills and Laxatives

Each of the following is a drug sometimes used by those with bulimia Finish reading this article »

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Types of Heart Complications

There are a number of different types of heart disease conditions that can take place as a result of eating disorders like anorexia. Finish reading this article »

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Signs of Binge Eating Disorder

Ten popular signs of binge eating disorder include:

1. Frequent out-of-control eating
2. Embarrassment when eating in front of others
3. Anxiety
4. Consumption of large meal portions
5. Feelings of disgust after eating
6. Depression
7. Eating when hunger is not present
8. Rapid eating
9. Hoarding food
10. Stress due to weight gain

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Binge Eating and Unhealthy Weight Gain

Binge eaters can consume a very large number of calories in one meal. While some binges consist of a normal amount of food, as much as 20,000 calories may be consumed at a time. Constant episodes of compulsive overeating may lead to a person becoming overweight or even obese, although there are individuals who still maintain a normal weight. Finish reading this article »

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10 Eating Disorder Recovery Tips

What do you do when you are finished with your eating disorder treatment? How can you keep yourself from falling back into the old habits you learned to overcome at an eating disorder residential center? Finish reading this article »

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What is Inpatient Treatment?

Inpatient treatment is a type of treatment in which a patient is provided with 24 hour care at a live-in facility. Both psychiatric and physical health assistance are included in this treatment. In most cases, patients will stay at inpatient treatment facilities for months at a time. Finish reading this article »

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Adults & Eating Disorders

The idea that only teen girls and college students develop eating disorders is a common misconception. In truth, men and women of all ages suffer from these types of disorders. Older women and men are an age group that is frequently overlooked in regards to eating disorders, but one that should be equally addressed. Finish reading this article »

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Who has Eating Disorders?

Anyone can develop an eating disorder. However, approximately 90% of eating disorders take place in women. Teens and those in their 20’s form the most likely age groups in which eating disorders take place. Finish reading this article »

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Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are not only physically demanding they also can negatively affect your social life and emotional well-being. Setting unrealistic standards or feeling depressed and lonely are common factors associated with an eating disorder. Finish reading this article »

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