Deciding to seek treatment can be difficult, but reaching out for help and navigating the admissions criteria for eating disorder rehab shouldn’t be. Finding the proper care is essential if you’re worried about your health or that of someone you love. We’re here to assist you. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the eating disorder admissions process.
The eating disorder admission requirements can vary from center to center. However, below is a step-by-step outline that you can generally apply:
Treatment programs for eating disorders vary and may include outpatient and inpatient options. The type of program that’s best for you depends on the severity of your disorder and your overall health. Both types of programs typically offer a combination of individual therapy, group counseling, and skills training. Inpatient programs offer more intensive care, including medical monitoring and supervision, while outpatient programs allow you to live at home and continue with certain everyday activities. Your treatment team will work with you to develop a personalized plan that fits your needs and promotes recovery.
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Complete the eating disorders rehab admissions form below to receive a prompt call back from a member of our experienced and compassionate admissions staff. With the eating disorder rehab intake form serving as the initial point of contact, it allows us to promptly reach out to you and guide you through the next steps of admission, including verifying insurance coverage, scheduling an assessment, and addressing any questions or concerns you may have. Our goal is to provide a seamless and supportive experience from the moment you complete the admissions form to your successful entry into our rehab program. Start your journey to recovery today by completing the admissions form below and taking the first step towards a healthier and happier life.
Eating disorders are medical conditions that significantly impact a person’s eating habits, thoughts, and emotions. While most people have occasional concerns about their health, weight, or appearance, some develop an unhealthy fixation on weight loss, body shape, and controlling their food intake, resulting in an eating disorder.
Eating disorders can cause significant harm to both physical and mental health and, in some cases, can even be life-threatening. These disorders often occur alongside other conditions, such as mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and alcohol and substance use disorders.
The causes of eating disorders are not fully understood. Still, like other mental health conditions, there are potentially multiple factors that can vary from person to person and contribute to their development:
In addition, there are specific factors that can raise the likelihood of developing an eating disorder, including the following:
Research shows that many symptoms of eating disorders are symptoms of starvation. Starvation can negatively affect the brain and lead to changes in mood, rigid thinking, anxiety, and a reduced appetite. These effects may contribute to ongoing unhealthy eating patterns, making it harder to adopt healthy habits again.
An eating disorder rehab center, or an eating disorder treatment center or facility, is a specialized facility providing comprehensive and intensive care for individuals struggling with eating disorders. These centers offer a structured and supportive environment where you or your loved one can receive professional treatment, therapy, and guidance to address eating disorders and related mental health issues.
The primary goal of an eating disorder rehab center is to help you regain a healthy relationship with food, your body, and yourself. Treatment approaches may include medical supervision, nutritional counseling, individual and group therapy, psychiatric support, and various evidence-based therapies tailored to your needs. The length of stay in an eating disorder rehab center can vary depending on the severity of the disorder and your treatment progress.
There are various types of eating disorders, each with its own symptoms and diagnostic criteria. However, all of these conditions share a common characteristic – an intense preoccupation with food, eating, and, in some cases, weight. Below are the descriptions and symptoms associated with the most common eating disorders.
Anorexia nervosa is a serious condition that involves self-starvation and weight loss, which results in a significantly low weight for the individual's height and age. It has one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric diagnoses, second only to opioid use disorder. Typically, an adult with anorexia nervosa will have a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5.
The dieting behavior associated with anorexia nervosa is often driven by an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat. Even if individuals with anorexia claim they want to gain weight, their actions often contradict their words. For example, they may only consume small amounts of low-calorie foods and excessively exercise.
Anorexia nervosa has two subtypes:
As time goes on, a few of the below symptoms or a combination of these may arise due to behaviors of starving oneself or purging:
Anorexia nervosa can lead to serious health issues that can be life-threatening, such as heart rhythm abnormalities, kidney problems, or seizures, especially in those who vomit or use laxatives.
A nutritional plan helps patients counter anxiety about eating and practice consuming various foods of different calorie densities across regularly spaced meals. The most effective treatment for adolescents and emerging adults involves helping parents support and monitor their child's meals. Addressing body dissatisfaction is also important, even though it frequently takes longer to improve than weight and eating habits.
If outpatient treatment is ineffective for severe anorexia nervosa, admission to an inpatient or residential behavioral specialty program may be necessary. Most specialty programs are effective with weight gain and establishing healthy eating habits. However, with all conditions of this severity, there is still a risk of relapse in the first year following program discharge.
Alternating between dieting or consuming only low-calorie "safe foods" and bingeing on "forbidden" high-calorie foods is a common feature of this eating disorder. "Binge eating" refers to consuming a lot of food quickly and feeling like you have no control over what or how much you consume.
The habit of binge eating is typically secretive and accompanied by emotions of guilt or embarrassment. Binge eating can involve consuming massive amounts of food quickly and past fullness, causing nausea and discomfort. They may occur weekly, typically followed by "compensatory behaviors" to prevent weight gain, including fasting, vomiting, laxative misuse, or compulsive exercise.
Individuals with bulimia nervosa are excessively preoccupied with thoughts of food, weight, or shape, which can negatively impact their self-worth. Unlike anorexia nervosa, people with bulimia nervosa may be underweight, average-weight, overweight, or even obese. However, instead of having bulimia nervosa, individuals are thought to have anorexia nervosa binge-eating/purging type if they are substantially underweight.
It can be challenging to identify if someone has bulimia nervosa because they may not appear underweight, and their behaviors are often hidden and go unnoticed. Below are some typical signs that someone may be struggling with bulimia nervosa:
Bulimia nervosa can have serious and life-threatening consequences like esophageal tears, gastric rupture, and cardiac arrhythmias. It's crucial to have medical monitoring for severe cases of the disorder to identify and treat any potential complications.
The most effective treatment for bulimia nervosa is outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy helps patients establish healthy eating habits and manage thoughts and emotions to break free from the disorder.
Antidepressants like fluoxetine can also reduce the urge to binge and vomit. For young people with bulimia nervosa, eating disorder-focused family-based treatment that teaches caregivers how to help their loved ones establish healthy eating habits may also be effective.
Binge eating disorder is characterized by consuming large amounts of food in a short time, causing loss of control and distress. Unlike bulimia, individuals do not engage in compensatory behaviors. This disorder can lead to obesity and other serious health issues.
To diagnose binge eating disorder, one must have frequent episodes of overeating (at least once a week for three months) accompanied by a feeling of loss of control and three or more of the following characteristics:
Individual or group-based CBT is the most effective treatment for binge eating disorder, similar to bulimia nervosa. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) can also be helpful.
Pica involves repeatedly consuming non-food items with no nutritional value. This behavior must persist for at least one month and be severe enough to require clinical attention. The substances ingested may vary based on age and availability and include items such as paper, paint chips, cloth, hair, clay, chalk, metal, pebbles, soap, charcoal, or string.
Individuals with pica typically don’t have an aversion to food in general, and the behavior is inappropriate for their developmental level or culturally supported practices. Pica can first occur in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood but is most common in childhood. It is not diagnosed in children under 2, as putting small objects in their mouths is a normal part of development at this age.
The condition is often associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability but may also occur in normally developing children. Those diagnosed with pica are at risk for intestinal blockages or toxic effects from the substances consumed, such as lead in paint chips.
Treatment for pica involves identifying and addressing any nutritional deficiencies and behavior interventions to redirect the individual from non-food items and reward them for avoiding such items.
Rumination disorder is when swallowed food is brought back into the mouth and re-chewed and swallowed again or spat out. This can happen in infancy, childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. Rumination can occur in other mental disorders. However, the severity must be significant enough to require separate clinical attention to make a diagnosis.
To meet the diagnostic criteria for rumination disorder, the behavior must:
Take place independently of any other behavioral eating problems
ARFID, a recently identified eating disorder, is characterized by eating disturbances that repeatedly fail to fulfill nutritional requirements. ARFID doesn't entail limiting food intake because of factors like food shortage, frequent dieting, cultural customs (like fasting), or typical behaviors seen in young children who are picky about what they eat.
If someone has ARFID, their avoidance or limited range of food choices may be caused by one or more of the following reasons.:
To diagnose ARFID, there must be difficulties with eating that are linked to one or more of the following:
People with ARFID may experience physical and psychological health issues similar to those seen in individuals with anorexia nervosa, as well as malnutrition. However, ARFID differs from anorexia nervosa as it is not driven by concerns about body weight or shape.
Avoiding or restricting certain foods is often developed in infancy or early childhood and can persist into adulthood, although it can also begin at any point in life. This condition can cause increased stress during mealtimes and social eating situations for the individual and their family.
Treatment for ARFID involves a personalized plan that may require the involvement of specialists, such as a mental health professional or registered dietitian nutritionist.
This category of diagnoses covers eating disorders or behaviors that cause distress and affect social, family, or work life but do not fit into other established categories. This may be because the frequency of the behavior does not meet the diagnostic criteria, such as in bulimia or binge eating disorder, or because the weight criteria for diagnosing anorexia nervosa are not met.
An example of this type of diagnosis is "atypical anorexia nervosa." This includes people with anorexia nervosa-like behaviors and concerns about their weight or appearance, who, while having an above-average starting weight, are not regarded to be underweight by their BMI.
Individuals with atypical anorexia nervosa who experience rapid weight loss through extreme weight control behaviors may be at high risk for medical complications, despite appearing to be at a normal or above-average weight. The speed of weight loss is a significant factor in developing medical complications.
Rehab insurance coverage for eating disorder treatment varies depending on your policy, the treatment facility, and the level of care needed. Keep in mind that in-network providers will provide more comprehensive coverage, and be aware of limitations, deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. Additionally, pre-authorization and demonstrating medical necessity may be required.
Call 866-461-3339 now to review the specifics of your insurance coverage for eating disorder treatment.
At Virtue Recovery Center, we believe that "all foods fit" when it comes to our nutritional philosophy. This forms the basis of our dietary program, which includes and supports individuals of all shapes and sizes. We specialize in treating eating disorders by promoting mind-body connection through compassion, education, and shame reduction.
We offer personalized care beginning with a convenient and free assessment. Just call 866-461-3339. You are also welcome to visit one of our nationally accredited treatment facilities outlined below:
Eating disorder rehabilitation admissions or intake refers to the process by which you enter and begin receiving treatment at an eating disorder rehab center. It is the initial step you’ll take to access the care and support needed for an eating disorder.
During the admissions or eating disorder treatment intake, you’ll typically be evaluated by a team of professionals, including doctors, therapists, and other specialists, to assess your eating disorder’s severity and determine the most appropriate treatment plan. This evaluation often includes a thorough physical examination, a psychological assessment, and a discussion of your medical history, eating behaviors, and related concerns.
The information gathered during the intake helps the treatment team develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and challenges. It is also an opportunity to ask questions, express your goals and concerns, and understand what to expect during your stay at the rehabilitation center.
The eating disorder inpatient rehab admissions and intake process refers specifically to the steps to enroll in an eating disorder rehab program. The specific details surrounding the eating disorder inpatient admission criteria and intake process can vary between treatment centers. However, below is a general overview of what the process may involve:
The specific details and steps involved in the eating disorder outpatient rehab admissions and intake process can vary between treatment centers. Additionally, the assessment and intake process for eating disorder recovery in an outpatient setting is similar to that of an inpatient. Below are the notable similarities and differences:
Similarities:
Differences:
The initial eating disorder rehab intake assessment process for treatment typically involves several steps to gather comprehensive information about your medical history, eating disorder symptoms, mental health status, and other relevant details. While the specific procedures may vary between treatment centers, they usually include a psychological and nutritional assessment, among other aspects.
The process is crucial to understanding your individualized needs, tailoring the treatment plan, and determining the appropriate level of care. It helps the treatment team provide comprehensive, customized care throughout your recovery. Call 866-461-3339 to schedule your free assessment.
Yes, ongoing evaluations are an essential part of the eating disorder recovery process. Regular assessments and evaluations are conducted throughout the treatment and recovery journey to monitor progress, adjust treatment plans as needed, and ensure your overall well-being. These evaluations may take various forms and involve multiple healthcare professionals, including therapists, medical providers, and dietitians.
Ongoing evaluations ensure that the treatment approach remains effective and you receive the necessary support throughout your eating disorder recovery process. They also provide opportunities to address emerging challenges, celebrate milestones, and make informed decisions to optimize your overall health toward long-term recovery.
The eating disorder admission requirements can vary from center to center. However, below is a step-by-step outline that you can generally apply:
At Virtue Recovery Center, we believe that “all foods fit” when it comes to our nutritional philosophy. This forms the basis of our dietary program, which includes and supports individuals of all shapes and sizes. We specialize in treating eating disorders by promoting mind-body connection through compassion, education, and shame reduction.
We offer personalized care beginning with a convenient and free assessment. Just call 866-461-3339. You are also welcome to visit one of our nationally accredited treatment facilities outlined below:
To find additional eating disorder rehabilitation centers nearby, see below:
The eating disorder rehabilitation treatment process and daily schedule can vary between centers. The duration and intensity of therapy sessions and specific services offered may also vary according to your individual needs and the treatment center’s approach. However, below is a general overview of an eating disorder rehabilitation treatment process and daily schedule:
Daily Schedule:
Call 866-611-1628 to speak with a recovery coordinator immediately, or complete the brief form below to receive a prompt call back from a member of our experienced and compassionate admissions staff. All communication is 100% Confidential.
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