Never Beyond Hope, Diagnosis and Treatment of Eating Disorders
Anorexia is diagnosed using the following criteria
Restriction of energy intake leading to a significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health
Intense fear of gaining weight, even though underweight
Body image disturbance, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight
Bulimia is diagnosed using the following criteria
Eating large amounts of food within a 2-hour period and sense of lack of control
Recurring inappropriate compensatory behaviors (vomiting, laxatives, exercise, diet pills)
Binge eating and compensatory behaviors occur, on average, at least once a week for 3 months
Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight
Binge-Eating Disorder is diagnosed using the following criteria
Recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food, more than most people would eat in similar circumstances in a short period of time.
Eating rapidly, eating beyond fullness and secret eating marked with distress around binges
Sense of lack of control over eating during the episode ex: a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much on is eating
Binge episodes average at least once a week for three months.
Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is diagnosed using the following criteria
An eating or feeding disturbance so pervasive that the person is unable to meet appropriate nutritional needs, resulting in one (or more) of the following: significant weight loss, nutritional deficiency, dependency on nutritional supplements, or interference in social functioning
This problem with eating is not explained by a lack of food being available
This is different from anorexia and bulimia in that the problems with eating are in no way related to what the person believes about her/his size, weight, and/or shape
This disturbance is not caused by a medical condition or another mental disorder
Other Specified Eating and Feeding Disorder (OSFED) is applicable to individuals who are experiencing distress due to symptoms that are similar to the disorders mentioned above but who do not meet full diagnostic criteria of these disorders.
All eating disorders can be life threatening if not treated correctly. Every person deserves an individualized approach to their treatment in order to achieve the greatest success. Treatment starts with a medical evaluation, psychotherapy and nutrition education. There are levels of care so know your options. In all levels of care, a patient's family and friends are encouraged to participate in the recovery process.
Outpatient Treatment is the least restrictive level of treatment for patients and they can maintain most aspects of daily life. Outpatient treatment can include daily, weekly, biweekly or monthly individual therapy sessions.
Intensive Outpatient includes group therapy, nutritional counseling, psychoeducation, meal support, and other evidence-based modalities. Participation requires a minimum of 3 hours, 3 days a week of intensive treatment.
Partial-Hospitalization is a form of treatment which provides structure while also supporting recovery outside of a hospital/residential setting. Patients can go to work or school while checking into treatment for the evening.
Residential is a treatment option for individuals who need longer term care or who are discharged from a hospital stay. Residential care requires you to live temporarily at a treatment facility.
Hospitalization may be required to address and stabilize acute medical concerns. Weight restoration may require medical device intervention such as NG tube placement. An NG tube will bring nutrients directly to the stomach.
Regardless of the level of care required to meet your medical, physical, emotional, and mental well being, you are never beyond hope!
