Eating disorder treatment plays a vital role in the healing and rehabilitation of the majority of patients suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or any type of eating disorder. It is extremely difficult for anyone who suffers from an eating disorder to get better without the help of a treatment program - doing it alone is very rarely fully productive.
In order for any type of eating disorder treatment to be successful, however, it is important that the patient is personally motivated to seek help and enters into the program voluntarily. As with any addiction treatment program, the path is long and difficult and can only be successful if the patient has the personal motivation to succeed. They must recognize the problems they have and be willing and motivated to live a life in successful recovery hereafter.
Eating disorders vary from some other addictions and behavior disorders in one very important way - drug addicts can learn to live a drug-free life in recovery and alcoholics can learn to live without touching alcohol, but people suffering from eating disorders must learn how to modify their behavior and their relationship with food - they cannot just stop eating!
What to Expect from an Eating Disorder Treatment Program
A reputable, professional center which runs successful eating disorder treatment programs should include a variety of different treatments in order to help the patient to fully overcome their eating disorder and learn how to change their whole relationship with food. The different aspects of the eating disorder treatment program may include:
· Individual meal plans specifically developed for the particular client, dependent upon their personal situation.
· Monitored meals. This is pretty self explanatory, but in order for patients to adapt their relationship with food and for the professionals at the center to really help the client, it is vital for mealtimes to be monitored.
· Mealtime exercises. Strategies can be developed to help the patient to successfully cope with meal times.
· Restaurant outings. A program of supervised outings to restaurants can help the patient to develop the life skills they will need in the real world while receiving the support they need at the beginning of the eating disorder treatment.
· Grocery shopping plays a very important part of the program. This can help the patient to address shopping triggers and learn to cope.
· Meetings. For example Anorexics Anonymous, Bulimics Anonymous, or Overeaters Anonymous meetings can play an important role in the treatment of such addictive behaviors.
· Cooking and nutrition education. Getting back to basics about the nutritional values of food and how to prepare healthy meals.
· Body image. This is a very important aspect of any eating disorder treatment program, helping patients to recognize and accept the reality of their bodies.
· Process groups. Each patient enrolled in an eating disorder treatment program has different needs, which is why it's important for the treatment center to promote process groups which are specific to the needs of each individual.
The Different Stages of Eating Disorder Treatment Programs
When patients enroll at a recognized, reputable, professional treatment center for the treatment of eating disorders they will have a treatment program shaped to suit their individual needs. Having said that, the majority of eating disorder treatment programs should follow a similar type of framework:
· Assessment. The individual client must be assessed. Although many similarities occur between patients, there are also many specific problems which need to be addressed. Every person is different.
· Exploration. Exploring the different types of treatment which can help the patient is another very important aspect of the program. Tailor made programs are the most effective method of dealing with eating disorders and other addiction problems.
· Internalization. The next stage of the eating disorder treatment program should be the internalization of the patient.
· Life Integration. It is important that anyone suffering from an eating disorder can learn the strategies and coping mechanisms necessary to live life in healthy recovery. This incorporates an intensive life integration program, learning some of the techniques mentioned above - grocery shopping, eating in a restaurant, nutrition and cooking, etc.
· Recovery strategy. This is the final step on the road to having the ability to live a normal, healthy life after the eating disorder treatment program and for maintaining a healthy relationship with food.
If you need, or someone you know gives you reason to believe that they are in need ofan eating disorder treatment program, remember that very few people manage to deal with the problem alone without the help of qualified, trained, experienced professionals. Contact a center near you to learn more about intervention services and the treatment options available in your area.
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The Mission of Santé Center for Healing is to address addictive behaviors and associated conditions with an integrated eating disordertreatment and recovery programs model model, drawing from traditional and innovative approaches. Our services are open to individuals and families who seek recovery from addictive behaviors, with a focus on treating the addicted professional. Learn more at http://www.santecenter.com
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