What is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is a serious mental health issue that can have debilitating, long-term effects on physical and emotional well-being. It usually involves intense fear of gaining weight and then losing control over food intake, leading to a cycle of self-starvation and weight loss.
Eating disorders are often associated with the issue of body image and can overlap with other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and self-harm.
Eating disorders can be difficult to diagnose as they often have a number of associated symptoms including poor body image and significant weight loss or gain over time.
Types of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are mental illnesses characterised by disturbances in eating habits. The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia is a disorder characterised by excessive weight loss and an intense fear of gaining weight, which leads to self-starvation.
This is a condition where the affected person shows restriction in their food intake to grow thin or maintain a low weight. Bulimia is the act of binge eating followed by purging behaviours such as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives.
The treatment for eating disorders can involve a variety of treatment modules, such as family therapy and individual psychotherapy. It may also include nutritional counselling, regular exercise sessions, and medical monitoring. It is important to consult a doctor before beginning any treatment for anorexia or bulimia in order to diagnose the condition accordingly.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where people starve themselves or exercise excessively, sometimes to the point it leads to death. It is the most common type of eating disorder and it affects mostly young women and girls. There are many ways to treat anorexia nervosa, such as psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), family-based treatment (FBT), and medication.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by frequent episodes of binging, purging, or both. The person may use extreme measures to counteract the effects of food intake such as self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, and excessive exercise. Bulimia nervosa is one of the most common eating disorders that also carries a high risk for serious health consequences.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is another type of eating disorder that affects people who overeat and then feel guilty or ashamed afterward. They may eat quickly, binging for hours without stopping until they are uncomfortably full. They may usually eat alone out of embarrassment, and they typically have a history of being overweight or obese.
Binge eating disorder is characterised by recurring episodes of compulsive overeating which are not followed by purging. It is usually associated with a feeling of being out of control during the episode, and afterward, there may be strong feelings of guilt or shame.
Types of Psychotherapy used in the Treatment of Eating Disorders
The types of psychotherapy used in the treatment of eating disorders include cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, and psychodynamic therapy.
Some people with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder do not know they have a problem. They may think about food all the time and feel guilty after eating, but they might not realize these feelings are not normal. If you feel or know someone close to you has an eating disorder, contact us to get help.
We at PROMIS treat eating disorders and our trained specialists are always at hand to discuss treatment options.
Types of Therapy
There are two types of psychotherapy that can be used to treat eating disorders: Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Family-Based Treatment. CBT is the more commonly used type of therapy and is focused on the individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
CBT typically uses a variety of strategies such as cognitive restructuring (identifying distorted cognitions), exposure to anxiety-provoking situations, and skills training. Family-based treatment is designed to help families work together to support the eating disorder patient’s recovery process. The therapy focuses on family functioning as well as individual family members and is most often used in adolescents with anorexia.
PROMIS Eating Disorders Treatment Centre in the UK offers a variety of treatment options for those suffering from different types of eating disorders. The treatment types provided at our centre are CBT and Family-based Treatment, which is approved by the National Institute of Health.
Cognitive therapy for eating disorders is designed to help patients with distorted cognitions, exposure to anxiety-provoking situations, and skills training. Family-based Treatment is a long-term therapy that focuses on changing dysfunctional family patterns and improving the patient’s recovery process. The therapy focuses on family functioning as well as individual family members and is most often used when the eating disorder is co-occurring with other mental health problems.
In addition, there are a number of resources available at our facility to patients and families. The therapists at PROMIS work closely with the parents, the patient, and other family members or loved ones to help them reach their treatment goals.
Recovery Process
The recovery process from an eating disorder involves a variety of factors. The first step is to identify the problem and then seek treatment from professionals who specialise in eating disorders, often by attending an inpatient centre for medical reasons such as restoring weight and stabilising treatments.
Treatment and Rehab Options
Treatment options are available at different levels of care depending on the severity of the eating disorder. Treatment plans are usually tailored to each person’s unique needs, but they typically involve a combination of medication, individual therapy sessions, and group therapy sessions.
Many people who suffer from eating disorders often find it more effective by attending an inpatient centre for medical reasons such as restoring weight and stabilising treatments. Treatment and rehab options are available at different levels of care.
For more information about treating eating disorders, please contact our treatment centre in the UK today. We are always happy to help you find a solution that works for your needs.
Private vs Free Treatment for Eating Disorders
PROMIS Eating Disorders Treatment Centre is one of the few centres in the United Kingdom that can offer treatment for eating disorders. There are two types of treatments available at these centres, free or private.
Differences between Private and Free Treatment:
Private treatment includes a one-on-one discussion with a professional, group discussions, family consultations, and individual counselling.
Free treatments include group discussions of eating disorders and sometimes some one-on-one discussions with the counsellor, but this is not always the case.
You can also get help for the treatment of eating disorders by contacting a group like B-eat. B-eat is one of the many support groups for people who suffer from an eating disorder and their loved ones.
Eating Disorders Admission Process
The eating disorders admission process is not as simple as it may seem. One of the first steps in admitting a patient to an eating disorder treatment centre will be for them to meet with a psychiatrist or psychologist, who will assess their mental health. The doctor will also ask the patient about any medications they are on and document what type of eating disorder they have. If this is not done in person, they will ask the patient to fill out a questionnaire about their condition for evaluation.
The doctor may also order an EKG, blood tests, or other diagnostic procedures. This is because doctors are concerned with the patient’s heart and how it has been affected by an eating disorder. After this, a treatment plan can be developed to help the patient cope with their illness. This may include therapy, medication, and a healthy diet.
The patient will be seen by either a paediatrician or psychologist who will assess their mental health. The doctor will also ask the patient about any medications they are taking and any other medical problems they may have.
The patient will then be seen by a psychiatrist who can prescribe medication for anxiety, depression, or eating disorders. A personalised treatment plan with the patient will be developed.
Assessment
The Centre for Eating Disorders has a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and staff, who offer assessment and treatment for those with an eating disorder.
A full clinical evaluation is completed by the clinician to establish the diagnosis, and after a discussion about treatment options, an individualised care plan is prepared. The team provides nutritional therapy, counselling, and psychological interventions to help patients recover from their eating disorders.
The centre also offers a programme of supervised and unsupervised outpatient treatment for patients who have completed the inpatient phase of their recovery.
This programme is designed to help maintain their recovery after discharge and includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psycho-education sessions, nutritional advice. The centre’s services are tailored to meet the needs of people living in the UK or abroad, regardless of their ethnicity or religious beliefs.
Ongoing Care
The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK provides ongoing care for those who suffer from eating disorders. They can provide treatment, medication, and monitoring to prevent relapse. This is offered through a variety of different health care providers.
Parents and caregivers also have a responsibility to provide ongoing support for their loved ones who are recovering from an eating disorder, which includes psychological therapy and monitoring the physical and emotional health of the person with the disorder.
At PROMIS we will provide the necessary resources to help you or your loved ones with their ongoing recovery.
Typical Cost of an Eating Disorders Rehab
The typical cost of an eating disorders rehab is about £3,000-5,000 per week. This includes medical treatment and therapy sessions. The length of stay varies depending on the severity of the condition but is typically 3 to 6 months.
