When you or someone you love has concerns related to having an eating disorder or disordered eating, knowing the next step can be confusing. OEDA has created some helpful suggestions and resources to guide you toward a life in recovery. While no two people who struggle with an eating disorder are the same, we have created some general guidelines to help you find hope and healing.*
Take a Screening
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Mental health screenings are a quick way to determine if you or someone you care about may need to reach out to a doctor or mental health professional for an evaluation. They are educational, not diagnostic.
Take an Eating Disorder Screening
It is recommended by the AMA that anyone who thinks they may have an eating disorder obtain a medical evaluation which includes the following:
Full history and physical examination
Full lab work and blood panel including
CBC
CMP which includes -Panel with EGFR -Glucose -Urea Nitrogen (BUN) -Creatinine -Sodium -Potassium -Chloride -Carbon Dioxide -Calcium -Protein -Albumin -Globulin -Albumin/Globulin Ratio -Bilirubin Total -Alkaline Phosphatase -AST -ALT
Urine Analysis and Drug Screen
EKG
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The American Psychiatric Association recommends that the best standard of practice generally involves a treatment team consisting of a psychotherapist (Counselor, Social Worker, Psychologist), a dietitian, and a medical provider.
Most people struggling with an eating disorder start in the outpatient level of care with weekly appointments to a mental health professional trained in the treatment of eating disorders, a dietitian who specializes in eating disorders and a medical professional who can monitor any medical complications related to the disorder. However, others may have too many medical complications or eating disorder behaviors may be so severe that they need a higher level of care. Obtaining an evaluation by a medical professional and mental health professional can help you determine what level of care is appropriate for you.
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Levels of Care Available
Inpatient Hospital Treatment
Residential Treatment
Partial Hospitalization Treatment
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
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In order to get started with a physician, counselor, and or dietitian all you have to do is reach out and make the first appointment. If you need help finding an outpatient treatment team or an eating disorder treatment program we recommend the following resources:
Psychology Today (You can narrow your search parameters to eating disorders and by the insurance carrier)
You can also contact your insurance company to find providers in your area who specialize in eating disorders and are in your network.
An eating disorder is a serious disease that can have life-threatening consequences. Family and friends are incredibly important in helping detect an eating issue and guiding a person toward proper treatment. Sometimes an individual may not know they have a problem or are in denial that they have a problem and it can be a difficult subject to discuss. Below are some helpful articles and guides to assist family and friends.
Truth #1: Many people with eating disorders look healthy, yet may be extremely ill.
Truth #2: Families are not to blame, and can be the patients’ and providers’ best allies in treatment.
Truth #3: An eating disorder diagnosis is a health crisis that disrupts personal and family functioning.
Truth #4: Eating disorders are not choices, but serious biologically influenced illnesses.
Truth #5: Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses.
Truth #6: Eating disorders carry an increased risk for both suicide and medical complications.
Truth #7: Genes and environment play important roles in the development of eating disorders.
Truth #8: Genes alone do not predict who will develop eating disorders.
Truth #9: Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. Early detection and intervention are important.
Produced in collaboration with Dr. Cynthia Bulik, PhD, FAED and the Academy for Eating Disorders, along with other major eating disorder organizations (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders, National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, National Eating Disorders Association, The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation, Residential Eating Disorders Consortium, Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action, Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association, Binge Eating Disorder Association, Eating Disorder Parent Support Group, International Eating Disorder Action, Project HEAL, and Trans Folx Fighting Eating Disorders).