Residential Treatment for Anorexia

Anorexia is a dangerous disorder that affects millions of Americans. People suffering from anorexia will literally starve themselves in order to be thin, putting them at high risk for health consequences that include dehydration, organ damage, irregular heart rhythms, and even death. In fact, anorexia has the highest premature death rate of any mental illness. Without treatment, a person with severe anorexia can and will die. A residential treatment program for anorexia can help you or a loved one become physically healthy and learn the healthy life skills necessary to recover from anorexia.

What is Anorexia?

Anorexia is more than an obsession with being thin; it is a mental illness that develops over time as a result of untreated underlying issues. Anorexia can develop as a way to cope with stress, shame, self-hate and other emotional problems. It can also piggyback on other mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Oftentimes, anorexia and other eating disorders develop as a result of some sort of trauma. A history of sexual abuse is often reported among those suffering from an eating disorder, and people with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are three-times more likely to develop an eating disorder as someone without PTSD. People with anorexia will develop an unhealthy preoccupation with food and weight as a way to gain control over their otherwise out-of-control feelings.

What is Residential Treatment for Anorexia?

Residential treatment for anorexia is usually performed at an eating disorder rehab for a period of a few weeks to few a months, depending on the severity of the patient’s condition. During residential treatment, a patient will receive 24/7 care that consists of a variety of therapies performed by an expert team of physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, nutritionists and other specialists. These therapies are designed to help the patient achieve the following goals:

* Normal eating behavior
* A healthy and stable body weight
* Coping skills for stress management
* Nutrition and cooking skills
* Proper amounts of exercise
* Personal confidence
* Treatment of co-occurring disorders
* Improved family and interpersonal relationships
* Understanding and resolving the root cause of the disorder
* Diminished perfectionism
* Appropriate views of body image
* Relapse prevention and aftercare plans

What to Expect during Residential Treatment for Anorexia

Every residential treatment facility for anorexia is different, but many offer the same basic treatments. Depending on the facility, your daily routine may include group sessions, individual therapy, weigh-ins, nutritional counseling, medical evaluations, medication or holistic treatments.

Much of your time will be spent in individual and group therapy/counseling sessions. The goals of the sessions are to educate yourself about your illness, learn how to cope with and overcome anorexia, work through the issues that lead to your disorder, and learn how to heal yourself from the inside out. You’ll also receive nutritional support and counseling to learn how to better take care of yourself in the recovery process and develop a healthy relationship with food and your body. Holistic treatments such as yoga, meditation, touch therapy, biofeedback and spiritual guidance may also be included to treat not only your body, but your mind and spirit as well. After all, anorexia is more than just a physical illness; the root causes are often caused by mental, emotional and spiritual imbalances.

If you have anorexia, stop the suffering now. Residential treatment for anorexia can put your mind and your body back in balance. Contact a residential treatment facility and start the healing journey today.


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