Types of ED Treatment
Common ED Treatment Therapies
Family based therapy (FBT)
or the Maudsley Method, incorporates the ED patient’s family into the healing process, as the therapy’s name suggests. Though choosing to involve the family is most common for anorexic and bulimic adolescents, this approach may also be helpful for adults who need extra support. The primary goal of FBT is to promote complete weight restoration through meals prepped by the family according to the therapist’s instruction. FBT has been shown to be the most effective treatment for children and teens with AN and is usually the first treatment recommended.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and enhanced cognitive behavior therapy (CBT-E)
apply similar fundamental techniques for eating disorder patients, but CBT-E is the more recently-formed treatment. CBT-E is one-to-one talk therapy that focuses on making lasting changes in the present and future, instead of concentrating on the past. Behavioral and psychological methods work together to shift negative thought patterns about food and set better coping mechanisms in place for any stressors related to ED development. The therapist and client work to change distorted beliefs about body shape, dieting, and appearances.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
focuses on rebuilding the ED patient’s relationships with their social circle and others around them. This type of therapy is particularly important, as according to the 9 Truths about Eating Disorders (NEDA), eating disorders affect family and peer functioning. People with EDs often withdraw from gatherings and social events due to the draining nature of the destructive eating habits. Spanning several months, though the length of time can be adjusted to meet the patient’s needs, IPT works to uncover underlying familial issues.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
is a cognitive behavioral treatment that aids people with chronic emotion regulation issues. Both individual psychotherapy and group skills-training classes are provided to help people learn and practice new skills to regulate emotions and reduce impulsivity. DBT is often added to treatment where there are multiple comorbidities to treat including suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury. DBT can be used conjunctively with FBT.
ED Treatment Programs
Outpatient care
serves individuals who need the least amount of professional support, in terms of time commitment. People in outpatient care typically meet with a team of ED professionals, including a mental health provider (psychologist, social worker, counselor), a medical professional (adolescent medicine), as well as a psychiatrist and dietician as needed. This recovery program lets people attend institutions and work as usual. The majority of teens with an ED can be treated on an outpatient basis.
Residential care
is provided at treatment facilities for individuals who don't need intensive hospital supervision, yet require psychological support and health monitoring. The 24-hour program is highly structured and is designed to encourage individual, whole-body healing.
Intensive outpatient (IOP) care
usually is recommended for people who are not quite ready to be released into outpatient treatment. They are assisted both individually and communally in support groups. More flexibility is granted during IOP care for students and workers who have outside responsibilities.
Inpatient care
for eating disorders usually does not last more than several weeks. The patient is hospitalized 24/7 under the careful watch of medical professionals until discharge. Inpatient care is necessary to ensure that the ED patient is medically stable, meaning the vitals and weight are at ideal levels. Upon discharge, many patients receive residential care to continue the treatment plan.
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CALL/TEXT THE NEDA HELPLINE AT (800) 931-2237 IF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE MAY NEED ASSISTANCE.
*ABSENCE OF CERTAIN EATING DISORDER SIGNS/SYMPTOMS DOES NOT MEAN THAT ONE SHOULD NOT SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP.